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GEN. N. B. FORREST. 



HOW IT WAS: 



FOUR YEARS AMONG THE REBELS 



BY MRS. IRBY MORGAN, 

Nashville, Tenn. 



I 



Printed for the Author. 

Publishing House Methodist Episcopal Church, South. 

Barbee & Smith, Agents, Nashville, Tenn. 

1892. 



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Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1892, 

By Mks. Irby Morgan, 
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. 



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DEDICATED 

TO THE 

CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS. 



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INTRODUCTORY WORDS. 



This book gives an inside view of things during tlie war by 
a truthful, patriotic, great-hearted woman, whose keen observa- 
tion and kindly soul are reflected in its pages. It is refreshing, 
after the deluge of dry official reports of campaigns and battles 
and the unhappy contentions of so many surviving heroes as 
to where to locate the glory of victory and the shame of defeat, 
to hear a woman's voice telling the story of that awful time in 
her own way, which is very straightforward, circumstantial, 
and realistic. I mean realistic not in the nude and vulgar real- 
ism of a class of modern novels equally inane and indecent, but 
realistic in the sense that events are narrated with simple truth- 
fulness. There is no partisan coloring or melodramatic flourish. 
Mrs. Morgan tells what she saw and heard during those 
" Four Years with the Rebels " in a colloquial style that suits 
the theme and charms the reader. 

Mrs. Morgan is a Southern woman, and the throb of her 
womanly heart is in every line. The splendid courage of the 
soldiers of the Confederacy finds part of its explanation in the 
intense devotion, unfailing fortitude, and sublime self-sacrifice 
of the women of the South. The sons and husbands of such 
women could not be cowards. Even in a case in which cow- 
ardice might be in the blood or the nerves, the inspiration of 
woman's sympathy and the traditions of a people where courage 
is hereditary, and among whom true chivalry yet lingers in this 
materialistic and sordid age, the constitutionally timid were 
swept into the current and carried forward on the crest of the 
fiery waves of war. 

It is worthy of notice that Mrs. Morgan, writing more than a 

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6 HOW IT WAS. 

quarter of a century after the war, expresses no doubt of the 
righteousness of the Southern cause. Whatever maybe said of 
the people of the South, and whatever may be the ultimate ver- 
dict of the world, it is uttering nonsense to say that their hearts 
were not in the struggle. Men do not die and women do not 
suffer, as the men and women of the South died and suffered, for 
a cause that is not dear to them. Had not the hearts of the men 
and women of the South been in the cause, the Confederacy 
would have collapsed with its first serious reverse. The leaders 
of the South did not drag the Southern people into the war any 
more than did the leaders of the North drag the Northern peo- 
ple into it. They had been drifting into its vortex for two gen- 
erations, and what had been long dreaded and foretold came in 
1861. 

Reconstruction has been effected, and reconciliation has been 
so greatly advanced that hopeful patriots of all sections indulge 
the expectation that the time is not far off when the last note of 
sectional discord will be hushed, and the last sectional politician 
will be buried deep with his face downward. But it may be 
said here, as it has been said before, that if it is insisted that, as 
a condition of perfect reconciliation, the Southern people shall 
acknowledge that the boys in gray fought and died for a cause 
they believed to be wrong, the trumpet of the last judgment 
will sound before they will make the shameful concession. 
They were defeated, but they made a good fight for what they 
believed to be a just cause. They died for their convictions, 
and no Southern man or woman will seek to fix upon their 
memories the blot of insincerity. Neither will any true man or 
woman of the North seek thus to smirch the memory of our 
dead heroes. The women of the two sections who still mourn 
for their dead who sleep where they fell may clasp hands in a 
sacrament of sorrow and forgive on both sides, but they cannot 
forget. 

Within the bounds of Mrs. Morgan's personal acquaintance in 



INTRODUCTORY WORDS. 7 

Nashville and elsewhere she is well esteemed as a lady of the 
highest social respectability and Christian virtues. Beyond that 
circle is the general public, to whom I commend these pages 
with these " Introductory Words," with the belief that they 
will greatly enjoy their perusal, and with the hope that, having 
yielded to the urgent request of her family and friends in giv- 
ing this book to the press, the author may be rewarded by a 
large measure of success. O. P. Fitzgerald. 

March 4, 1892. 





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FAITHFUL OLD JOE. 



HOW IT WAS. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE people of Nashville for weeks before the 
fall of Fort Sumter were greatly excited, as the 
whole country was watching and waiting com- 
ing events. Fort Sumter fell; and no one can 
describe the excitement but one who witnessed 
it; and everyone commenced planning and trying 
to do something to aid the South. 

Drums were beating, fifes playing, the boys com- 
ing in troops to enlist for the war, and anxious fa- 
thers and mothers could be met at every point. 
All were earnest and anxious, as few had antici- 
pated the result of the wrangling the country had 
had for years; and now war was upon us, and we 
totally unprepared for it. 

All the old guns and muskets to be found were 
brought into requisition, and many consulted as to 
how to use them, how they could be remodeled, 
etc., and we of the South were in a dilemma what 
to do; but we went on the presumption, ''where 



lO HOW IT WAS. 

there's a will there's a way," to get us out of diffi- 
culty, and the result proved it. 

Mr. V. K. Stevenson and others formed a com- 
pany to gather war materials, and my husband, 
Mr. Irby Morgan, was selected by him to go to 
New Orleans, Louisville, and other points to get 
sulphur and other material for making caps. 

Col. Samuel D. Morgan took great interest in 
the cap factory, and it was a success, for in a 
short time they were making thousands. Mr. 
Morgan brought home two of the first perfect 
caps, and requested me to keep them as souvenirs 
of the war. The caps that were used at Manassas 
and Bull Run were made in our cap factory of the 
material bought by my husband. After this facto- 
ry had proved a success, Mr. Morgan and others 
were sent to hunt wool to make clothes for our 
soldiers, and he went to Texas and other points 
and bought four hundred and fifty thousand 
pounds and had it shipped to Nashville, and from 
here he took it to factories in Mississippi, Ala- 
bama, Georgia, and East Tennessee to be made in 
Confederate gray. He went to the factories and 
got the cloth, and the last he procured Gen. 
Rody had to send an escort to guard the wagons, 
and he delivered to the department in Atlanta five 
hundred thousand yards of Confederate gray 



HOW IT WAS. II 

which he had had made at a cost of seventy-five 
cents a yard, when it was selHng in the market 
at five dollars a yard. After he returned from 
Texas, then our work began. 

Col. Terry's gallant command from Texas came 
through the marshes of Louisiana, in water and 
mud almost waist deep, and most of them took se~ 
vere colds, and by the time they got to Nashville 
a number were sick. To add to their troubles, the 
measles broke out among them. Hospitals were 
hurriedly fitted up, and they were soon crowded. 
The citizens were greatly distressed, and the ladies 
went in troops to see them, to take delicacies, and 
to do all to alleviate their sufferings. Miss Jane 
Thomas, Mrs. Felicia Porter, and many others 
were untiring in their attentions; but the hospitals 
were so crowded and uncomfortable that a number 
decided to take them to their homes and nurse 
them, A great many were young, petted darlings 
at home, and of course they were wretched. I 
took Capt. Rice, a grand old man who lived on 
Trinity River on a large farm; also Frank Roan, 
Capt. Hunter, and Frank Kibbe, all four from 
Texas, and Levi Jones, of East Tennessee. All 
were very ill with measles and terrible coughs, and 
we sent for our family physician and did all we 
could for them, sitting up and nursing for two 



12 HOW IT WAS. 

months. I hired a nurse and got the boys from 
the store to help sit up with them. Capt. Hunter 
was dehrious for two weeks, and Capt. Rice as ill 
as could be to live, and we watched and waited as 
tenderly as possible. After two months Capt. 
Hunter got strong enough to join his command, 
so did Frank Roan and Kibber ; that left me with 
Levi Jones and Capt. Rice. Dr. Atchison told 
me he thought Capt. Rice would die. I was much 
distressed, for I had become greatly attached to 
the old man. I went to him and said: " Captain, 
you are very sick; I fear you will not get well." 
He said, with a great deal of earnestness and 
quiet dignity: " Madam, I am an old man. I have 
plenty at home, a large farm, negroes, no wife nor 
children, and the boys were all leaving, and I loved 
them and could not stand to see them go without 
me, and I thought a country that had done so 
much for me I ought to fight for it." I said: 
"My dear old friend, you must try to think of a 
better land, to which you are fast hastening. Look 
to God for help. We have done all we can for you ; 
now beg God to help you to be ready to meet 
him." He said: " I have always been charitable, 
have ever been kind to my negroes, and old Mas- 
ter will deal kindly with me. I have no fears." 
And just as the glorious sun rose the old man's 



HOW IT WAS. 13 

spirit took its flight, I hope to a better world. We 
buried him at Mt. OUvet. 

All were gone now but Levi. He seemed de- 
lighted with his surroundings; would come into 
my room and would sit for hours with the children 
and myself and tell me about his mother, sisters, 
and brothers, and wish he was at home with them. 
He said he wished he was at home so he could go 
to the singing school. He was tired of the war. 
He reverted to the singing school again and again, 
and said they made the prettiest music he ever 
heard, indeed they were powerful singers. One 
day I said I thought the fresh air would do him 
good: *'I will have the carriage ready, and I want 
you to take a ride." He was delighted, and ob- 
served that he thought it would do him " a power 
of good." As he crossed the bridge he saw his 
first steamboat; and he was charmed, and told me 
when he got home that he thought " it was such a 
good idea, houses floatin' on water, and a feller 
could fish all the way down." He got to looking 
well and ate heartily, and I said: " Levi, I expect 
soon they will call on you to join your command." 
He said: *' Yes; I am looking any day to be sent 
for, but I am powerful weak." He screwed up 
his courage enough to appoint a time to join his 
regiment, but when the fatal day arrived he came 



14 HOW IT WAS, 

to my room with a handkerchief bound around his 
jaws. I asked him what was the matter. He 
said his tooth was kilHng him it was aching so bad. 
I got him camphor, laudanum, and warm cloths to 
apply, and he sat with his head bent down in his 
hands and rocked and moaned and, as I thought, 
oblivious to all surroundings; but all of a sudden 
he looked up with his keen, black eyes, and said: 
" When I go home, I am going to send you a bar- 
rel of apples and sweet taters." I thanked him, 
and said he was very kind; and then he would 
rock and moan again, seeming in great agony. 
After being silent for some time, he raised his 
head again and said: '* Miss Morgan, California 
must be a great country. Sweet taters grows thar 
on trees, and weighs sixty pounds." I told him 
I thought it wonderful. He was just nineteen, and 
could I have done so, I would have sent him home 
to his mother to be happy. After his toothache 
was cured he could find no other excuse, so final- 
ly, with great reluctance, he joined his command. 



CHAPTER II. 



THE next startling event was the battle of Ball's 
Bluff, in which Col. Erasmus Burt, brother-in- 
law of Mr. Morgan, lost his life. He was Auditor of 
the State of Mississippi, and raised a splendid reg- 
iment around Jackson, sons of the best and most 
influential families, and went to Virginia to the 
seat of action. They had a terrific fight there, and 
Col. Burt killed Col. Baker, of Oregon, and a 
whole regiment of Federals fired on him, and as 
Col. Burt fell, mortally wounded, his regiment 
yelled and charged like demons, killed and drove 
into the Potomac two thousand seven hundred 
men, and it was called at the time by the Federal 
papers: '* The Ball's Bluff Disaster." Col. Burt 
was promoted for his bravery, but it came too late, 
as he died the next day. This was early in the 
war, and a Company was detailed to escort his re- 
mains to Jackson. He was beloved by all, for he 
was a brave soldier and a Christian gentleman. 
He left a widow and eight children with no pro- 
tector, so Mr. Morgan moved them to Alabama 

near relatives. 

(15) 



l6 HOW IT WAS. 

One day it was announced that Gen. Beauregard 
and Father Ryan would give a talk on the war, at 
Masonic Hall, so we went to hear them. This was 
soon after the battles of Bull Run and Manassas, 
and they had a great deal that was encouraging to 
say. After the lecture was over we went up to the 
platform and were introduced to them, and ex- 
pressed pleasure at hearing them give so encourag- 
ing accounts of our prospects. Gen. Beauregard 
spoke of the battles of Manassas and Bull Run, and 
said the Federals were so demoralized that if we had 
been prepared to pursue them we could have gone 
to Washington and dictated terms of peace. He 
asked my husband if he was related to Gen. John 
T. Morgan, and he told him he was his brother. 
He said we ought to be proud of him, for at a crit- 
ical time in the battle he, by his strategy, helped to 
turn the tide in our favor. We told him that Nash- 
ville had made the caps that fought those battles. I 
never will forget Father Ryan's noble countenance, 
so full of love and gentleness. He had long hair, a 
handsome face, and every inch a man and poet, 
and his love for our South land beamed forth in 
every look and trembled in ever word he uttered. 

They had been fighting at Fort Donelson for 
days, and we would hear very distressing accounts 
from them : our boys in water knee-deep, and such 



HOW IT WAS. 17 

terrific fighting it was fearful to contemplate, and 
such overwhelming numbers to contend with. 
But almost every day we would hear of deeds of 
valor and bravery, and we felt that our noble boys 
could not be whipped. They were outnumbered 
and had to succumb, and only those know, who 
went through these exciting times, what the news 
of the fall of Fort Donelson meant. 

The next report was that the army was falling 
back and would make a stand at Nashville. Some 
said they would fight in Edgefield; others, that 
they would fall back and fight on the other side of 
the river. By the next morning the streets were 
filled with soldiers, wagons, army stores, and ar- 
tillery wagons being prepared to send South, and 
the excitement was' at fever heat, and pandemoni- 
um seemed to reign. 

The next news was from an old friend, Mrs. 
Stubbs, who said Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston 
was at her home; had come there to rest, and 
everything was being done for his comfort. I 
prepared a waiter of delicacies, and was soon on 
my way to her house. When I arrived, she insist- 
ed on my seeing him, but I said I wouldn't think 
Df intruding. She took the waiter to him, and in a 
little while came back with a message from the 
general that he would like to see me. She took 



l8 HOW IT WAS. 

my arm, and almost before I knew it I was in 
Gen. Johnston's presence. He expressed great re- 
gret at having to fall back. I told him I hoped 
he would not think it presumption, but I was anx- 
ious to know if he intended making a stand at 
Nashville. *' My husband intends to take us South 
if the army does fall back; but if it is not proper 
to answer, don't hesitate to decline. I am anxious 
to know, for we will have to make some few prepara- 
before leaving home." He said: " You had better 
get ready and start in the morning." I looked at 
that noble face and massive head, and saw sorrow 
and care depicted there, and I have never forgot- 
ten him. That careworn face is fresh in my memo- 
ry. I have met Mrs. Stubbs many times since the 
war, and she loved to dwell on the time Gen. 
Johnston was at her house, and she, as many oth- 
ers would have done, considered it a great honor 
to entertain so brave a man. I went home, and 
soon after saw Drs. McTyeire and Summers, 
knowing they were as anxious as we to get away 
with their families. But by night the rumor was 
all over town that the army would make a stand, 
and every one who could shoulder a musket must 
help to defend Nashville to the last ditch. My 
husband thought it best for us to go, and he would 
stay and fight if necessary. So we started to 



HOW IT WAS. 19 

Fayetteville. Before leaving, I called up my two 
faithful servants, husband and wife, Henry and 
Martha Brown by name, told them to take the 
keys, use wood, coal, and contents of the larder, 
and take good care of the house and everything 
in it: and faithfully they performed their part. 
They buried my China, packed at night my car- 
pets to my mother in Nashville, carried my furni- 
ture, piece at a time, to the houses of different 
friends, and stayed as long as they were allowed. 
The Federals wanted to make a hospital of the 
house, when our friends, Mr. Dick White and fam- 
ily, moved in and kept it for us till the close of the 
war. Martha and Henry went to Washington with 
President Johnson's family, Martha as maid in the 
*' White House," and Henry as a trusted servant; 
but he died a few months after going there. I 
mention all this to show the fidelity of the old serv- 
ants. They had been with us many years, and 
** Mammy Martha " was dearly beloved by us all. 
I packed my trunk, took my nurse Ella, and chil- 
dren, and my little son, ten years old, to drive the 
barouche, and we started to old friends in Fayette- 
ville, leaving Mr. Morgan there to await coming de- 
velopments. We traveled with sad hearts, thinking 
of the dear ones left behind who could not follow us. 
Events soon showed that instead of making a 



20 HOW IT WAS. 

Stand the army was retreating, and the roads were 
filled with every kind of vehicle of which the imag- 
ination could conceive. Artillery wagons, ambu- 
lances, furniture wagons, carts, and every kind 
of conveyance to which a horse could be hitched. 
They were driving, lashing, yelling, and galloping, 
and my little children and myself in the midst of 
them. We got to Murfreesboro after dark, but 
found that the army had beaten us there and all 
the hotels were filled. There we were in the 
crowded street, not knowing where to go or what 
to do, when I heard my old hackman's voice, 
Frank Eakin, for he had waited on me in that ca- 
pacity for many years whenever a hack was need- 
ed. Never did a voice sound so sweet! for I was 
much fatigued, and more worried in mind than 
body. He ran up and said: *' Is that you, Miss 
Julia?" And I said: *'Yes; what is left of me." 
He said : ** I will take you out to Miss Julia Eakin' s 
[Miss Julia Spence, now], and Miss Myra Eakin 
is there — just come all the way from New York — 
got there this evening." So I gladly followed 
Uncle Frank until we got to Mrs. David Spence's 
house, and there received a hearty welcome, and 
we all sat up till late that night, bemoaning the 
fortunes of war. Early in the morning old Frank 
had everything in readiness, trunks securely 



HOW IT WAS. 21 

strapped, harness adjusted, etc., and many direc- 
tions to my son how to drive to prevent an acci- 
dent. Then, after Mrs. Spence had prepared us a 
sumptuous lunch, we bade them good-bye, thanking 
God for having such kind friends raised up to us 
in our hour of need. 



CHAPTER III. 



WE rode on and on, and I thought our journey 
would never end. The children would say 
they heard cannonading, and I would imagine a 
thousand things were happening, and Mr. Morgan 
among them, and I felt wretchedly. Just as we 
rode into Shelbyville the children exclaimed: 
" There comes papa, on a horse, riding as fast as 
he can ! " I strained my eyes to see, but the dust 
was so bad that objects directly in front could hardly 
be distinguished; but sure enough, their keen eyes 
were not mistaken, for on he came at a rapid gait 
to catch up with us, and we were all so delighted 
we forgot how tired we were: and the children's 
tongues let loose, and such a Babel of voices you 
never heard, all trying to talk at once, telling our 
hairbreadth escapes from being run over by so 
many wagons. We spent the night in Shelbyville, 
and next day started to Fayetteville to stay with an 
old friend. Dr. Robert McKinney. Mr. Mor- 
gan went on to Atlanta to attend to government 
business. 

When we arrived at Fayetteville, we found a 

(22) 



HOW IT WAS. 23 

large portion of Johnston's army there, and they 
continued to come for several days. We met at 
the doctor's house Gen. John C. Breckinridge, 
an old friend of the family; Gen. Forrest; Dr. 
Kelley (or rather Col. David Kelley), then on Gen. 
Forrest's staff ; and Gen. Bowen and wife, of Gen. 
Price's army of Missouri. We heard the fight at 
Fort Donelson discussed from every point, and I 
came to the conclusion that our soldiers had done 
enough to stop and not fire another gun. I heard 
Gen. Forrest tell of the execution of our sharp- 
shooters, and after the battle he said he counted six- 
ty killed in one place, and called on Col. Kelley to 
know if that was the number. He said their exe- 
cution was wonderful and fearful to contemplate, 
the number killed was so great. Gen. Bowen was 
a splendid specimen of manhood, and his wife was 
charming. They spent a week at the doctor's, 
and we had a pleasant time going to see the sol- 
diers drill. Soon the army left for Corinth and 
Shiloh. I learned that Gen. Bowen was killed at 
Shiloh, and his wife returned to Missouri. 

Before Mr. Morgan left he gave me a box of gold 
containing $12,000, and told me to take good care 
of it: we might need it. I told Mrs. McKinney, 
and we discussed the danger of keeping it in the 
house, for we felt very anxious about it, as there 



24 HOW IT WAS. 

were servants going in and out all the time. We 
thought and planned as to the safest disposition 
that could be made of it. There was a large rose- 
bush directly under the window of her bedroom ; so 
we decided to dig up the rose, divide it, and send 
a piece of it to a neighbor who was anxious to 
have some of it, and while the servant went to de- 
liver the rose to our friend we slipped the box in the 
hole and planted back what was left of the rose, 
gave it a good pounding and profuse watering, and 
it scarcely wilted, it was so well managed. 

We remained in Fayetteville six weeks, then 
Mr. Morgan came and took us to Lookout Moun- 
tain to Mr. Aldehoff's Seminary, where we board- 
ed and sent the children to school. Several Nash- 
ville girls were here at the seminary. We had a 
delightful time roaming over the mountains, for 
the scenery was magnificent; and every after- 
noon I would take my children and a troop 
of boys and girls — for both sexes attended the 
school — and we would walk for miles, feasting 
our eyes- on the beautiful mountain azaleas, 
holly, and laurel, and many lovely wild flowers 
which were rare to us, and we would all go back 
with our hands and aprons full of the sweet blooms. 
The air was so cool and bracing it seemed we 
would never tire of these excursions. I was so 



HOW IT WAS. 25 

charmed with the beautiful flowers and shrubs, 
and so confident we wou^d whip the Yankees and 
get home by fall or spring at the least, and acting 
on the presumption, I got some of the mountain 
women to go with me to select plants to take back 
to Nashville. I walked, looked, and admired, and 
tied a piece of white string on one, red and black 
on others, so I would know them when I got rc^ady 
to take them up. I planned that I would take up 
enough native soil to insure success when I re- 
moved them, and I was so delighted with the idea 
of procuring so many novelties I would walk for 
miles hunting them. But alas I the time never 
came for them to be transplanted, for after that too 
much of stern reality occurred to fill the heart and 
mind, and made me forget the beautiful wild flow- 
ers. In our strolls we would often come in con- 
tact with the residents, and would have long chats 
with them. They seemed well satisfied with their 
surroundings. Most of them had been reared 
there, knew but little of the outside world, and 
were contented and happy. I asked them how 
they lived, as most of the men were in the army; 
and they told me they dug calamus, ginseng, 
and angelica, and gathered huckleberries, black- 
berries, and dewberries, raised chickens and hogs, 
and they got on finely. They were kind-hearted. 



26 HOW IT WAS. 

polite, and credulous to a degree that astonished 
me, and seemed ready to believe all the marvelous 
tales that could be conceived of. I felt so sorry 
for them, seeing how ignorant they were ; and then 
I thought they were happier than we were, with no 
aspirations in life, and thankful for what they had. 

One day the children came in and told me 
that Gen. John H. Morgan's command had just 
come and were encamped just down the hill; and 
in a day or two Gens. John H. Morgan and Basil 
Duke, hearing we were there, came up to see us. 
Mr. Aldehoff and wife treated them so kindly that 
they were delighted with their visit. Mrs. Aldehoff 
was a descendant of Gov. Sevier, and a splendid 
woman, and her husband a most enthusiastic 
Southerner. 

The boys soon heard we were related to Gen. 
Morgan, and they came in numbers to see us; and 
as I had learned most of the patriotic war songs, I 
would play, and the children and soldier boys would 
gather around and would make the welkin ring with 
*' Dixie," '' Bonny Blue Flag," '' Maryland," " She 
Comes, She Comes." She did not come, but, to 
judge from the singing, we were very happy in the 
anticipation. Among the boys was one named 
Hughes Hopkins, a son of a Presbyterian minister, 
and the brightest, jolliest fellow I ever met. He 



HOW IT WAS. 27 

formed quite an attachment for the children, and 
would come up nearly every day to see us. He was 
highly educated, could quote poetry by the hour, 
and he was so entertaining we all loved to hear him. 
One day he was telling us some of his trials on the 
Potomac, and he said that they were very hungry 
and had their skillets frying bacon, and were 
waiting for it to get done when the Federals 
opened fire on them, and a head of a soldier was 
blown in their skillet and spoiled all their sop. I 
told him it was horrible in him to speak so lightly 
of death. He laughed and said that it was the 
evil of war, and a fellow gets hardened and used 
to anything. 

The time came for them to move, and he came 
to say good-bye. He had a splendid form, straight 
as an arrow, had a pleasant though homely face, 
and on one cheek was a long scar. He extended 
his hand, and said: *' Good-bye, madam. You 
have been kind to me, and I thank you, and if I 
never meet you again, for I may be killed [I felt 
like crying, his voice was so pathetic], have me 
decently buried, and please, ma'am, furnish money 
to have masses said for my soul. I think T will 
make a pretty corpse." I asked what his good 
father would say to hear him talk so, and he gave 
a hearty laugh, raised his hat, and bounded down 



28 . HOW IT WAS. 

the hill like a deer. That was the last I ever saw 
of him. I do not know whether the poor fellow 
was killed or not. 

I was kept very busy with my children, for my 
faithful nurse I brought with me was taken sick. 
She was the only daughter of Peggy Lapsley, of 
Nashville. Her mother came to me the morning 
I left home, and asked me to take her South, as I 
could do a better part by her than she could. She 
relieved me of a great deal of care with my chil- 
dren, day and night. Ella was a bright mulatto, 
very handsome and intelligent, and I felt in my 
exile she was more than a servant to me. She 
almost felt like one of my family, for they were 
devoted to her, she was so tender and gentle to the 
little ones. She grew worse day by day, and the 
physician from Chattanooga pronounced her very 
ill, and he feared I would have to lose her. She 
became so nervous that the noise of the children 
worried her, and I thought it best to have her 
moved to the house of a poor white family who 
lived near the seminary, and for a sum of money 
the mother and daughter promised to devote all 
their time to her, wait on her faithfully, and sit up 
with her. I prepared all her meals, had them 
sent to her, and went every day and stayed with 
her as much as possible, and would go after sup- 



HOW IT WAS. 29 

per to see if she had every attention. The school 
children and mountain woman, seeing our dis- 
tress, became greatly interested in her, and often 
after school the children would gather flowers 
and take them to her. And she was always so 
grateful. She lived six weeks, and as she was 
growing weaker she said: " Miss Julia, I want to 
ask a favor of you. I know I am going to die, and 
I feel perfectly resigned, but I hate to leave you 
and the children." I asked what favor it was she 
wished, for I would do anything for her. She 
said: *' Please take all my little trinkets to my 
mother — breastpin, locket, and some of my hair — 
and tell her to meet me in heaven." I promised 
to do all she asked, and wanted to know if that 
was all. She said: " No, there is one thing more. 
Miss Julia, I hate to ask you, but I want you to 
shroud me. I don't want strangers to do it." I 
told her I would do anything for her, as she had 
been faithful and true to me and mine, and that I 
would stay by her till the end. She died two days 
later, and I got a nice coffin and shroud and laid 
her out tenderly, and as she was lowered in the 
grave I felt that one of my best friends had left me. 
We had her buried on the mountain, and the 
school children came in a procession and covered 
her grave with flowers. We had a fence built 



30 HOW IT WAS. 

around her grave, and as long as we stayed there 
her orrave was briorht with fresh flowers. When I 
got back to Nashville, I sent for her mother to 
deliver Ella's treasures to her, but learned that 
she too had passed to her eternal home, dying 
near the same time her child did. I go through 
all this detail to show the devotion of Southerners 
to their slaves. 

The children were anxious to see the sun rise 
on the mountain, for we had heard what a mag- 
nilicent sight it was, so we got up quite a party 
and started early, and we were repaid, for a more 
glorious sight was never beheld. We were so 
high above the surrounding country that we ap- 
peared, in the dreamy, misty morning, as if 
we were in fairyland, with the floating, feathery 
clouds around us. After the sun threw his light 
in all directions the fleecy clouds began to dispel 
and the grand old Tennessee appeared like a 
silver band winding its course placidly along, 
and cars looked like tiny carriages. As I looked 
on this grand river I felt like shouting and praising 
God and saying, " Thou, O Lord, art worthy to 
receive glory and honor," for such magnificence 
in scenery I never beheld. We had been on the 
mountain six months, and had spent the time very 
pleasantly. We had made many friends among the 



HOW IT WAS. 31 

boys and girls, who were from the best families 
of East Tennessee and different sections of the 
country. But the time came for us to leave, as 
the Federals were thundering their artillery all 
around Chattanooga, and the reverberations on 
the mountains were terrific. 



CHAPTER IV. 



M^ 



R. MORGAN came up to Chattanooga and 
carried us down to Marietta, Ga., and pro- 
cured board at the Kennesaw Hotel, and sent to 
Alabama for his old father and sister and family, 
consisting of Mrs. Col. Burt and six children. 
Her two oldest sons had gone into the army. He 
got a farm close to town, bought three negro boys 
for her, and had his old father to manage the 
place. We brought her two daughters in town to 
go to school with our girls, and they all started to 
Mr. Benedict, an Episcopal minister, who had a 
fine school in Marietta. My husband had finished 
his government business and had joined the army, 
going with his brother's command. Gen. John T. 
Morgan's, the Fift3^-first Alabama Regiment, as a 
private. Gen. Clemens and Hon. George W. 
Jones, two old friends, came to me and told me 
that it was a shame for Mr. Morgan to go, as he 
was over forty-five; he could be so much more 
useful at other points, as good business men were 
badly needed, and he could do more for the cause 
by staying in Atlanta than by enlisting as a private. 
(32) 



HOW IT WAS. 



33 



The}^ and other friends wrote to Richmond to his 
brother-in-law, Judge WiUiam P. Chilton, Mem- 
ber of Congress, and Meredith P. Gentry, to state 
the case ; and the next mail brought back a com- 
mission as quartermaster of a division, with head- 
quarters at Atlanta. I was delighted, and sent it 
to him ; but it was returned posthaste to Richmond, 
he declining to accept it. 

I was at a crowded hotel, but I got Mr. White, 
the proprietor, to give me a private table in the 
dining room for my family and a few friends, 
among them Mary Gentry, daughter of Meredith 
P. Gentry, Mr. Fred Shepherd, of Nashville, and 
Mr. Sandy Shepherd, from Memphis. The latter 
gentleman was there looking after the interest of 
his bank. We sent to Charleston and bought a sack 
of Java, and I got my nurse, Nancy, to make us 
good coffee on my stove in my room. We fared 
better than most of them at the hotel tables, for 
they had parched wheat and r3^e for coffee; and 
old friends coming and going soon learned where 
to get a cup of pure coffee, and Nancy was often 
kept busy to suppl}^ the demand. Judge Caruth- 
ers, Judge Marchbanks, Gov. Neil S. Brown, my 
old teacher. Dr. C. D. Elliot, and many others got 
their cup as long as it lasted. Dr. Elliot would 
say: ''Julia, my child, I am going up to the front 



34 HOW IT WAS. 

to look after the boys, and must have my coffee to 
take with me; my supply is out." His knapsack 
was always filled for him, and he would go off with 
a glad heart to try and comfort the soldier boys. 
He was as much devoted to them as he was to his 
old Nashville Academy pupils, and that was saying 
a great deal, for he had been a faithful teacher 
and friend to hundreds of girls scattered all over 
the South. 

Nancy was my courier, always on the alert to 
get startling news. After the battle of Murfrees- 
boro she came up early one morning and told me 
the house v/as filled with wounded soldiers. Their 
destiny was Atlanta, as they had hospitals there and 
none at Marietta at that time. The poor fellows had 
heard that a great many Nashville refugees were 
there, and as the train stopped they slipped off in 
the dark and came to the hotel and sent word to 
us that they wanted to see the Nashville ladies; 
but just at the time most of them had left. I got 
up though, and as soon as I dressed I went down 
to see them. I went from room to room, and 
found twenty-seven poor fellows — some terribly 
wounded- — shot in the legs and arms, and one had 
his eye put out. Different parts of the brave 
boys' bodies felt the effects of the Yankee bullets. 
I went in one room, and found Dr. Lowe, from 



HOW IT WAS. 35 

Shelby County, shot through the eye, the ball 
coming out of the back of his neck, and it was 
strange that it did not kill him. His hair was very 
long, all bloody, and dried to his face, and all 
caked with blood around his eye, or the socket, 
as the eye was gone. I felt sick at heart, but 
went to work with my nurse to assist me. 
I had warm water brought, and with a soft cloth 
bathed the bloody hair until I could remove it from 
the wounded part, got a pair of scissors, and soon 
made the poor fellow more comfortable by cutting 
off his long, matted hair, and a more grateful man 
I never saw. He was in a fearful condition, but 
as I looked at the poor, sightless eye and pleased 
face I felt repaid for my efforts; and he told me 
he felt more comfortable and so thankful to me. I 
did not take time to hunt help, but went from room 
to room. The wounded men were all dirty, hun- 
gry, and bloody. My heart would give a big bound 
as I looked eagerly into each face, thinking maybe 
some of our Nashville boys were among them. I 
found Capt. Jackson, from the Hermitage, Capt. 
Lynn and Mr. Herran, from near Memphis, and 
others, whose names, after the lapse of so many 
years, I have forgotten, but all in the same condi- 
tion: dirty, bloody, and hungry. As fare was high 
at the hotel, and most of the poor fellows were with- 



2,6 HOW IT WAS. 

out money, I sent Nancy out, bought light bread, 
butter, and eggs, and had strong coffee made in 
my room, and we went to work cooking, and in a 
httle while had enough prepared for them to eat to 
satiety. The next thing to be done was to get 
them some clothes. I started and hunted up all 
the Nashville ladies at the other hotel, and those 
boarding in town, and also called on the ladies of 
Marietta to help us. I had a hundred yards of 
pressed flannel my husband had bought to use in 
case of an emergency, as goods were getting very 
scarce; but when such scenes of distress were 
brought to me, my first impulse- was to help relieve, 
so I got the ladies together and we cut out and 
made up as long as the cloth held out, and 
what I lacked others furnished. Hurrying and 
sewing for several days, we got all supplied with 
flannel shirts, drawers, and undershirts, and as 
*' cleanliness is next to godliness," they felt nearer 
heaven in clean beds, and new underclothes, and 
good women around them ministering to their 
wants, than they had in some time before. In the 
meantime we sent for Drs. Steward and Setz, and 
they did all they could for their comfort. Mr. 
White, the proprietor, came to me and said: "I 
am a poor man and am not able to feed them, but 
will let them stay until places can be provided for 



HOW 11- WAS. 37 

them." I told him I would see to their being fed, 
and I did; and had them well fed, too. I put on 
my bonnet and started out to hunt homes in pri- 
vate families for them, and I had good success. 
Mrs. Gen. Hansel took four; Mrs. Col. Atkinson, 
four; Mrs. Brumby, three; Mrs. Dennead, three; 
and so on until all had comfortable homes provid- 
ed, and I felt happy to know that the}^ would be so 
well cared for. Most of the ladies sent their car- 
riages for them, and they went with thankful 
hearts. As they were the first wounded soldiers 
who had stopped in Marietta, they all fared sump- 
tuously, and Dr. Setz and dear old Dr. Steward 
visited them regularly and did all in their power to 
alleviate their sufferings. Some of the boys were 
extremely ill from their wounds, as erysipelas set 
in. I got a home for two country boys who were 
badly wounded, with an old lady and gentleman 
who had no children. Two days after, the old lady 
sent for me to come to see her on important busi- 
ness. I hurried down, called for her, and she 
said : '' You must move those boys from my house, 
I can't stand them." I asked what on the earth 
was the matter. She told me her place and all 
she had was about to walk off with, as the soldiers 
called them, '' graybacks." The neat housekeep- 
was in despair. Allusion to these pests is not very 



38 HOW IT WAS. 

delicate, but they were common in the army, where 
so many were crowded together they could not help 
getting them on their clothing. It made no differ- 
ence how neat and cleanly they were, they were all 
in the same categor}^ liable to the "pests." I 
said: "Please don't move them; one has high 
fever now and is delirious, and the other is too sick 
to be disturbed." I got some one to help her clean 
her house ; then sent for a negro barber and told him 
I would pay him well if he would help me . He asked 
me what I wanted done, and I told him to get a large 
kettle, heat water, then get a big tub, soap, and 
towel. He got every thing in readiness and at- 
tempted to take one of the soldier's clothes off, 
and I was waiting to hear the result. The negro 
came out puffing and blowing, and said: *' I can't 
do anything with him. He lit me and scratched, 
and tried to bite me." I told him that was a small 
matter, not to give up, but to go and hire a strong 
man to help him, for I told him it must be done. 
He went off for assistance, and in a little while was 
back with help. After waiting quite a time, and 
hearing a big fuss in the room, he came out and 
said: "Missus, I done soap him and scrub him 
good, and now he is done dress up nice." I 
thanked him and told him to go through the same 
process with the other one. He did so, and had 



HOW IT WAS. 39 

no trouble with him. He came and told me he had 
finished them both, and I then directed him to cut 
their hair. This was accomplished, and he sent 
for me to come in and see how well he had done 
his work. Strange to say, the delirium was re- 
lieved, fever cooled, and they began to improve 
from that bath. The next thing was to look after 
their clothing. They each had a suit of Confed- 
erate gray, and as clothes were so scarce and hard 
to get, I could not think of throwing them away. 
I had them all taken out in the yard and told the 
barber to go right off and get an old darky to 
come and wash them. He soon brought an old 
woman, and, for a stipulated price, she undertook 
the job. She looked at the clothes, and said: 
" Missus, dem's powerful 'ceitful t'ings, dey hides 
in ebery seam and crack. You has to bile dem all 
day and all night, and den dey ain't dead." I 
told her to '* bile 'em all day and all night," just so 
she got them clean. **But, missus, dat ain't all; 
you has to get the hottest flatiron, and iron in all^ 
de seams." I told her I would leave it with her, 
just so she got them all right, and she worked 
over them faithfully until they were clean and nice, 
and hung up for future use. 

I went down the next day, and the boys looked 
like new men, and the old lady was bright and 



40 HOW IT WAS. 

cheerful, and I felt happy at my success. Some 
of the women of the present day may think it would 
have been more suitable for men to attend to these 
things. But where were our men? Most of them 
were tramping through mud and dirt, rain and cold 
fighting battles, many lying on the cold ground 
wounded, and others passed to '* that bourn 
whence no traveler returns." No, when duty led 
the Southern women, we did not stop to consider 
if the thing necessary to be done was elegant or 
delicate, but could we do ought to alleviate suffer- 
ing, and cool a parching brow, or make a bed 
softer to the maimed and shattered limbs of our 
dear ones. Many of them had loving kindred 
thinking and praying for darling husbands, broth- 
ers, and sons. I thought I had my country charges 
all settled and happy, but in a few days I was sent 
for to come as quickly as I could : they wanted to 
see me. I went down and was received at the 
door by the old lady. She was very kind, and 
told me her boys were doing finely, but were some- 
what nervous. I walked in and asked if they 
wished to see me about anything important. They 
said *' Yes," in a low, confidential way, and con- 
tinued, " I believe the old lady wants to kill us, as 
she has a loom in the next room, right against the 
partition at the head of our bed, and she has been 



HOW IT WAS. 41 

weaving for two days, and late last night, and says 
she has a good deal more to do before she finishes 
her cloth." I told them I would make it all right; 
I knew the old lady was good and kind, and I 
knew too she didn't mean to annoy them. They 
said: "Yes, she is good to us; gives us plenty 
that is nice to eat, and talks kindly to us, but that 
rattle, rattle, rattle [said in a wail] will kill us; we 
can't stand it." I had a talk with the old lady, 
and she promised to postpone the weaving, and 
seemed sorry that she had annoyed them. They 
stayed with her until they were well enough to join 
their regiments. Two days before they left the 
servant came in and announced two soldiers in 
the parlor; said they wanted to see me, and I 
immediately went in. They looked neat, fresh, 
and cheerful in their suits of gray that the old 
negress had " biled all day and all night," and to 
my astonishment, each one had a fiddle under his 
arm . They said they were going away and thought 
they would play some for the children and myself; 
said they were considered "powerful good play- 
ers" at home. I thanked them for their thought- 
fulness, called the children in, then they tuned and 
tuned, and finally started off on some jigs, and 
they played all the country breakdowns you ever 
heard. The more and louder they played, the 



42 HOW IT WAS. 

more numerous became their audience. The chil- 
dren and servants in the hotel came in numbers, 
until they had a crowd of attentive listeners. As 
the excitement increased, the louder they played, 
until they seemed in perfect ecstacy. After they 
had played all they knew, we all thanked them, 
bade them good-bye, and it was the last I ever saw 
or heard of them. On shaking their hands in fare- 
well I felt touched, for the poor fellows had paid 
what they conceived to be the greatest compliment 
in life: given me the benefit of what they imag- 
ined fine music. 




GEN. FRANK CHEATHAM. 



CHAPTER V. 



riAVT. JACKSON'S wound proved more seri- 
yj ous than we thought it would at first. Col. and 
Mrs. Atkinson and Miss Annie were as kind and 
attentive as possible, and tried in every way to al- 
leviate his sufferings. Erysipelas set in, and he 
had raging fevers and was delirious. I went to see 
him as often as possible, and I feared he would 
die ; but by faithful nursing he began to show signs 
of recovery, and after some time he was well 
enough to ride, and Miss Annie would bring him 
in her carriage to see me, and soon rumor had it 
that when the captain left he would leave his heart 
in Marietta. 

Mrs. Gen. Hansel had Dr. Lowe and Mr. Her- 
ron from Shelby County, Tenn. I mention these 
three particularly, for they all had erysipelas, rag- 
ing fevers, and this in connection with their bad 
wounds gave us much anxiety for their recovery; 
but the beautiful surroundings of Mrs. Hansel's 
home, and kind treatment, soon had them on the 
road to health. 

Capt. Lynn, of Tennessee, was badly wound- 

(43) 



44 HOW IT WAS. 

ed. He came hobbling in one morning on crutch- 
es, and told me his leg was in a terrible con- 
dition, and he feared amputation would be neces- 
sary. He said he hated to ask me, but he would 
be so thankful if I would take off the bandage and 
see what I thought of it. The doctors then were 
scarce and in great demand all the time. He was 
wounded just below the knee on the underside of 
the leg. I got my servant to get me some hot 
water, Castile soap, and some old linen rags, re- 
moved the bandage, and found the place in a fright- 
ful condition. His leg was swollen large enough 
for two, and the cloths had dried and hardened 
on it until I wondered how he endured it at all. I 
washed it carefully, saturating the soft linen with 
some soothing solution the doctor had given him. 
After the bandage was readjusted he felt much re- 
lieved, and I told him to come to me every day and 
I would dress it for him. He was very grateful, 
and after the close of the war I got a letter of 
thanks from him saying I saved his leg. I think 
that a mistake, but I certainly made him feel more 
comfortable. By the most tender care of the ladies 
of Marietta, and the best medical skill, they all got 
well and rejoined their regiments. Marietta, up to 
that time, had known but Httle of the horrors of 
war; so the first wounded soldiers they nursed gave 



HOW IT WAS. 45 

them a little insight in it. Soon after this hospitcils 
were established there. Then the work com- 
menced in earnest. We had at this time quite a 
colony of NashviUians: Dr. A. L. P. Green, wife 
and daughter, Mr. Matt McClung and wife, Miss 
Patty Anderson, Mr. Ike Lytton and family, Mr. 
Jess Thomas and family, Mr. Tom Marshall and 
wife, Mrs. Avent, Miss Bettie Childress and her 
sister. Miss Ann Patterson, Miss Frank Anderson, 
Gen. Clemmons, Hon. George W. Jones, Mr. 
Sandy Shepherd, Mr. Fred Shepherd, and many 
others too numerous to mention, and all great 
workers. Some one or other of them were always 
finding objects of distress, and their necessities 
were always supplied. 

Col. John. Overton was there and was as big- 
hearted then as he is now, running up to the army 
and then back again, speaking words of comfort 
to the boys at the front and the poor wounded ones 
in the rear. But enough. I could fill a volume 
with acts of heroism and devotion to our Confed- 
erac}^ To sum it all up, we had our hearts and 
hands full. At this time most of the Nashville 
ladies were at the two hotels. At the Kennesaw 
House, where we boarded, the saintly Mrs. A. L. 
P. Green would appoint one day in each week for 
fasting and pra3^er for our beloved cause, and we 



46 HOW IT WAS. 

would try to say "thy will be done," but am 
afraid we had a mental reservation, '* but let us 
whip the Yankees." Now the sick and wounded 
came in numbers, and we were all kept busy try- 
ing to minister to their necessities and to the alle- 
viation of their pains. In a short time the town 
became so crowded many of the Nashville people 
moved to other points. That left us almost alone 
at the hotel. Mr. and Mrs. White, the proprietors, 
were very kind to us, and helped in many ways 
in caring for the sick and wounded soldiers. The 
house was full of strangers, coming and going all 
the time. A family stopped there for awhile that 
interested me very much. It consisted of Gov. 
Baylor, of Arizona; Col. Baylor, his brother, our 
former Minister to Austria; and the Governor's and 
colonel's brother and sister, Eugene and Fanny 
Courtney Baylor. Gov. and Col. Baylor were de- 
lightful company, and Fanny and Eugene splendid 
musicians, and every night Mary Gentry and my- 
self got them to play for us. Fanny sung the 
Scotch songs with much pathos, and some of 
Eugene's compositions were wonderful. He was 
only twenty years old, but was wonderfully gifted 
in music. My girls got him to teach them many 
pieces of his own composition. I did not think 
then that these friends we were making would 



HOW IT WAS. 47 

in after years make a name for themselves, for 
they were so modest and unassuming; but Eugene 
has lived to be a great composer of music, and 
Fanny an authoress of considerable note. 

On two occasions trains of soldiers came down 
the road, and we learned that on account of some 
accidents they had nothing to eat in twenty- 
four hours. We were all greatl}^ excited, and I 
went around from one boarder to another and got 
their consent to give up their breakfast and let the 
soldiers have it. I told Mr. White, the landlord, 
our decision, and he agreed to it. I dispatched my 
nurse to make coffee, and in a little while big and 
little, white and black were carrying dishes out to 
the train to feed the soldiers. We took everything 
in the eating line we could lay our hands on, and 
as fast as one pot of coffee was emptied I would 
send for another. It was a long train, and it took 
a good deal to satisfy the famished occupants. 
Soon the news got out in town, and a rumor to the 
effect that there was a trainful of starving soldiers 
was circulated, and here they came, women and 
children running, with their faces red from excite- 
ment — some with provisions, others directing serv- 
ants with large waiters, baskets, bundles, and 
any way it could be brought in a hurry. The sol- 
diers ate like they were starved; and when the 



48 HOW IT WAS. 

whistle blew, such scrambling and grabbing as 
there was to take what was left with them. 

All were bountifully fed and were happ}^ and 
with many thanks and loud cheers they were gone ; 
but still tired and almost breathless women con- 
tinued to come with their donations, and were 
much disappointed when they found the train had 
moved off. This was a memorable day in Mariet- 
ta, but we felt well repaid in gomg without our 
breakfast to see the enjoyment depicted in the faces 
of our soldier boys. In a short time gamblers and 
rouo-h characters be^an to come in such numbers 
that it made it disagreeable for us, but Mr. Morgan 
was in the army and I thought I would try to stand 
it, as I was anxious to keep as near the front as 
possible. Almost every day there were disturb- 
ances among these characters, and it made me very 
watchful. One night I sent my little son to see if 
supper was ready. The dining room was next to 
the office, and as he was a favorite in the house, 
some one called him in the office to speak to him ; 
and this time it happened to be the marshal from 
Atlanta, and he took him in his lap and was talk- 
ing to him when a gambler, who supposed he had 
come up to arrest him, fired on the marshal, kill- 
ing him, the ball going just above my son's 
head, and as the marshal fell Bob rolled over on 



HOW IT WAS. 49 

the floor. You can imagine my feeling when some 
one came up and told me. I was almost frantic, 
and ran downstairs, but met one of my friends 
leading Bob to my room. He was as white as a 
sheet and frightened almost to death. Mr. Fred 
Shepherd begged me to let him take the children 
and myself and go to the other hotel, but I told 
him I would go in my room, lock the door, and not 
let any one in. I thanked God for preserving my 
child's life, for it was a narrow escape. I got my 
nurse and children in my room and locked the 
door and awaited results with fear and trembling, 
for we heard that a mob was after the gambler and 
intended to hang him. And such an uproar in the 
streets and hotel was fearful. I waited an hour 
listening to every sound, almost afraid to breathe. 
In a short time I heard screams and the sound 
came nearer and nearer, and some one commenced 
shaking my door as if they would break it down. 
I said: ''Who is there?" Mrs. White, the pro- 
prietor's wife, said: ''It is I. For God's sake 
come down, Mrs. Morgan. They have cut Mr. 
White all to pieces, and I can't get any one to come 
and help me." The children were attached to Mr. 
White, who was kind to them and would often as- 
sist them in their lessons, as he was a fine mathe- 
matician. So I asked them if they would be afraid 
4 



50 HOW IT WAS. 

for me to leave them, and they all said no — to go 
and help Mr. White and they would stay with 
Nancy, the nurse, who promised me faithfully not 
to open the door at all. So I started, but in the 
meantime Mrs. White had gone back to her hus- 
band, and with a prayer for help and protection I 
ran down the hall and one pair of steps, then' 
another hall until I got to her door, and I said, 
"Open quickly;" for I was so badly frightened I 
could hardly stand on my feet. We were soon in 
the room and the door again locked. The doctor 
had been sent for, but could not be found, and I 
told Mrs. White that something must be done or he 
would bleed to death. We sent the servant to the 
drug store, got sticking plaster, and washed off the 
blood to see where he was cut and found five 
wounds, and as she would wipe off the blood I 
would draw the wo-unds together with sticking plas- 
ter. In the morning the doctor came, examined 
him, and found the wounds were not dangerous, 
and said we had done what was necessary. He 
got well in a few weeks, but his face was badty 
scarred, and as long as we stayed at the hotel they 
did all they could for our comfort, for they felt 
grateful for my help in their hour of need. 



CHAPTER VL 



A FEW weeks after that I was sitting in my 
room and a gentleman was announced. I 
looked up, and who should I see but Capt. St. Clair 
Morgan? I said: ''My old boy, I am so glad to 
see you; where did you come from?" He said: 
*' I came down from the front to get my boys some 
shoes; they are almost barefooted." We had a 
long talk. He said he believed his company was 
the bravest one in the whole army. He had raised 
a company of Irish in Nashville, and it did his 
heart pfood to see the devotion of these men to him. 
He said he beheved any one of them would die for 
him. After talking for some time, he- bade me 
good-bye ; said he had to hurry to accomphsh his 
business. The next morning I took the children, 
as it was my custom, on the front porch to see the 
cars pass. I saw St. Clair on the train loaded 
down with shoes. He had strings around his neck 
and on his arms, and he looked like a bundle of 
shoes. He was remarkably handsome, and in the 
strength of his young manhood he was a pleasant 

picture to look upon. He said in a stentorian 

(51) 



52 HOW IT WAS. 

voice, "Cousin, I got my shoes for my boys;" 
and waving a farewell, he was soon lost to view. It 
was the last time I ever saw him. By this time 
there were more fights, and the wounded came 
down in numbers. I went to the hospitals almost 
every day, always fearing I would find some of our 
Nashville boys among the wounded. The ladies 
of Marietta, and we " refugees," as we were called, 
did all in our power for the poor boys. I went to 
the hospital one day to take some delicacies, and as I 
passed in I was attracted by what I thought the hand- 
somest face I had ever seen. I stopped and spoke 
to its owner. He looked fresh and ruddy and so 
young. He had beautiful, laughing brown eyes, 
and to look at him one would think he was in per- 
fect health. He tried to be cheerful and bright, 
and seemed anxious to talk. I asked him where 
he was wounded, and he answered : " Shot through 
the knee, and the doctor says he fears he will have 
to amputate my leg; and," he continued, '' if they 
do cut it off, it will almost kill mother and father." 
I asked him where they lived, and he said in Mis- 
sissippi. He told me in the conversation that he 
was an only child; was just twenty-three, and be- 
fore he enlisted he had entered on the practice of 
law, after having received an education at Harvard 
or Yale — I have forgotten which — and said his 



HOW IT WAS. 53 

name was Lieut. Nelson. I learned enough to 
know he was a mother's darling. I stayed with 
him sometime and felt loath to leave him, but told 
him I would come again soon. He said: *' Please 
come: I feel so lonely and wretched." I felt anx- 
ious about him and went back early in the morn- 
ing: and saw from his face that he had suffered 
greatly in the night. He told me they had decided 
to amputate his leg at 12 o'clock that day. I 
could hardly keep the tears back to see the look of 
despair on his face when he told me he was afraid 
he would die, and seemed always to be thinking of 
the agony it would give his beloved parents, and 
said: "What will they do without me!" He 
seemed deeply affected, and I tried to speak words 
of comfort to him, but I felt faint at heart. I went 
home, and waited until 4 o'clock, that beautiful face 
haunting me every moment. I put on my bonnet 
and hurried to see him, and found the operation 
had been performed. And O, such a change! 
He looked haggard and pale, his pulse beating 
rapidly and breathing with difficulty. He knew me, 
pressed my hand and held it for some time. I tried 
in every way to make him feel that he was not 
alone; that a sympathetic friend was by his side, 
and he seemed much gratified. I told him to look 
to God for help; that he alone could save. He 



54 HOW IT WAS. 

listened eagerly, and when I had finished said: 
"Amen." And in a few minutes he lost conscious- 
ness, and I saw he was sinking rapidly. I thought 
of that poor father and mother so far away, who 
would never look on the face of their beautiful sol- 
dier boy again, and my heart went out in loving 
sympathy to her as only a mother's heart can. I 
stayed as long as I could with him, and went weep- 
ing home. He died at 8 o'clock that night, and 
the next day he was gently lowered in a soldier's 
grave, where he will rest until the trumpet shall 
shall sound at that great and final day. After that 
man}^ sad scenes were witnessed among the sick 
and wounded. I read every day in the Chatta- 
nooga Rebel the list of killed and wounded, and 
trembled as I did so, fearing some one dear to us 
would be among them. 



CHAPTER VII. 



T CORRESPONDED with friends and relatives, 
i. constantly hoping to have news from dear ones 
exposed to danger. One day I received a letter 
from Richmond, Va., from Mary Valentine, a 
cousin of mine, teUing me that my nephew, Felix 
Hicks, was with her and was quite a hero, as he 
had been in a Northern prison for some time. 
He, with many others, had been captured in one 
of the battles — I forget which one, for I write from 
memory — and had been in close confinement, so 
when an exchange of prisoners was proposed 
there was great rejoicing. After our boys had 
boarded a vessel and started to meet the prisoners 
to be exchanged they found out there was some 
trouble at Washington about it and no more ex- 
changes would be made then. The boys were 
turned back to wait results. They were furious, 
and went to work to make plans for escape. It 
was agreed that at a given signal they were to 
seize tlie guards, disarm and secure them, and 
make the pilot and engineer do the rest. Tliere 

were quite a number of prisoners on board. They 

(55) 



56 HOW IT' WAS. 

succeeded in their plans, and by threats and in- 
timidations made the pilot and engineer take them 
near Norfolk and land them. 

They made their way to the swamps and stayed 
there two or three days, living on anything they 
could beg or find to eat. The Federals heard of 
their escape, and shelled the woods in every di- 
rection. After staying together for several days, 
they thought it best to separate and try to make 
their way back to the army. So they started, 
each one looking out for himself. Felix trav- 
eled at night until he thought it safe to appear 
in daylight. He made his way to Richmond, and 
when he got to Mr. Valentine's he was ragged, 
dirty, foot-sore, and nearly exhausted. The girls 
took him in hand and soon had him provided with 
new clothes and kept him until he was able to 
travel. He then started to Marietta to see us and 
stay a little while before rejoining his command. 
We felt proud of our beardless boy, and enjoyed 
every minute of his stay with us. The young 
people all had merry times together. Felix had a 
fine voice, and he regaled us with many beautiful 
songs, some he learned in prison. But the sad 
time came when he had to leave us and return to 
his regiment, which was then in Mississippi. The 
next day Col. Randle McGavock came to say 



HOW IT WAS. 57 

good-bye. He looked so bright and hopeful and 
every inch a soldier. He too went to Mississippi. 
Several weeks after this I received a letter from 
Felix, saying: * 'After a few more fights Gen. 
Forrest says that he will give me a furlough of ten 
days, and I will come to see you all. I can 
hardly wait, but must exercise patience." We 
looked anxiously forward to the time when we 
would see him again. It seemed almost like one 
of my children coming, and in our exile we felt 
that these bonds of affection were strengthened. 
But instead of the visit I received a letter from 
Capt. Matt Pilcher saying: " Felix was killed to- 
day, gallantly fighting for his country. A braver 
boy I never saw. How my heart goes out to his 
father and mother, for he was their idol! We 
are paying dearly for our liberty in giving up so 
many noble boys." 



CHAPTER VIII. 



THE next sad news was that Col. Randle Mc- 
Gavock was killed, valiantly fighting near 
Raymond, Miss.; also Capt. Tom Cooke. My 
heart sunk in gloom, and I asked God for help in 
these dark hours. These were trying times, and I 
hope never to see the like again. 

News came that preparations were being made to 
fight at Chickamauga. I knew most of the calvary 
would be there. Gen. John T. Morgan's com- 
mand and Wheeler's Division had already gone 
up. My husband was with the cavalry in his 
brother's command, and I felt miserable. The 
battle was fought, and such slaughter and carnage 
w^as fearful to relate. Both sides suffered terribly. 
I scarcely ate or slept, and the suspense was mad- 
dening. The intelligeisiice came that Capt. Jack- 
son was killed. We felt this loss deeply, for we 
were greatly attached to him. He had won our 
hearts by his gentlemanly bearing, and he was so 
handsome and brave. His brother. Col. Jackson, 
was at Marietta on parole, having been captured 
at Vicksburg when that place surrendered. He 
(5S) 



HOW IT WAS. 59 

and many others were waiting to be exchanged, 
and were in camp near Marietta. Col. Atkinson 
and himself went up to get the captain's remains 
to bury in Marietta. After hunting over the field, 
they found the poor fellow lying on a blanket with 
straw under his head ; badly wounded, but still alive. 
They took him to Ringgold ; but he was exhausted 
from loss of blood, and they had no time to attend 
to his wounds. He never rallied, but died in a few 
hours after getting him there. They brought his 
body to Marietta and buried him. Since the close 
of the war his remains have been removed to Nash- 
ville, and now rest at the ** Hermitage," near Gen. 
Andrew Jackson's tomb. The next day my nurse 
came up and said a wounded soldier was in the par- 
lor on a cot, and wanted to see me. I wondered who 
it was, and hurried down, and found Gen. Gregg, of 
Texas, in a bad condition. He had his face and 
head bandaged, and seemed in great pain, but he 
told me he wanted to see me to tell me about Capt. 
St. Clair Morgan's death. He said: *' He was my 
devoted friend. I loved him and he was brave to 
recklessness. He was a friend of my boyhood 
days, and in the war we were much together. In 
one of our engagements, on making a terriiic 
charge, Capt. St. Clair was galloping on ahead 
of me, cheering as he went. And as we came 



6o HOW IT WAS. 

back from the charge I saw a form I thought I 
knew. Hurriedly jumping down, I raised up the 
head and saw it was my dear friend. A bullet 
had entered his forehead and gone through his 
brain. He died with his face to the foe. He was 
as brave and daring as any man I ever saw, and 
had a heart as tender as any woman's." I felt 
greatly shocked, for it had been but a short time 
before that when I saw him, so bright and hand- 
some, with his load of shoes on his way to make 
his boys comfortable. Now he was still in death, 
waiting to be placed in a soldier's grave in a 
strange place. 



CHAPTER IX. 



WE were standing one day on the portico 
watching for the cars to come in, and as 
the train stopped I saw an aged couple aHght, and 
come feebly up the steps; and just then some 
friend greeted me. I heard some one say: "Is 
this Mrs. Morgan?" I said: "Yes." She threw 
her arms around my neck and wept as though her 
heart would break, and said, "I am Capt. Jack- 
son's mother, and this is his father," pointing to a 
venerable-looking old gentleman. I took them to 
my room, and after she composed herself, she 
told me, in a trembling voice, that Capt. Jackson 
had written to them of his being wounded and the 
kind friends he had met. They had tried and 
tried to get a pass to come out to see him, and at 
last succeeded. 

They started from the " Hermitage" in a buggy, 
had their trunk stolen, and after many difficulties 
got to Cartersville, and there learned that their 
son had been killed and buried at Marietta. They 
felt that they must come on and hear all they could 
about their darhng boy. I told them all about his 

(Gl) 



62 HOW IT WAS. 

sojourn with us, and sent word to Col. and Mrs. 
Atkinson that they had arrived; and in a little 
while the colonel's carriage was at the door, and 
they were soon conveyed to Mrs. Atkinson's resi- 
dence. 

I can never forget Mr. and Mrs. Jackson. She 
had a sweet, resigned face, and, for an old lady, 
was beautiful. And he was a dignified, venerable- 
looking man. They are indelibly impressed on 
my mind. 

She told me she was born in the North, but was 
devoted to the South, and the dearest treasure of 
her heart had died batthng for its rights. After 
spending several days in Marietta, and learning all 
they could of the death of their boy, they came to 
bid us good-bye. Ah! how my heart went out in 
sympath}^ to those weary old pilgrims whom we 
would never see again until we meet around our 
Father's throne. We can teach our children to 
venerate this noble pair, and to love and admire 
their brave son, who died defending his coun- 
try. We were watching and waiting to hear 
news from other loved ones. We had those who 
were very dear to us in the cavalry. We heard of 
them destroying a long train of wagons for the 
enemy. Then again, they would be miles away, 
giving them trouble in another direction, and it 



HOW IT WAS. 63 

seemed they were everywhere, watching to see 
where they could strike a decisive blow. Exciting 
events were occurring every hour, rumors of fights 
and news of friends killed or Vv^ounded. 

One morning a paper was handed to me stating 
that a terrific fight had taken place, near Farming- 
ton, Tenn., between four thousand Confederate 
cavalry and six thousand Federals. Many were 
killed and wounded, and among the number was 
Irby Morgan, of Nashville, mortally wounded. I 
was almost frantic with grief. My anxiety was 
terrible. 

In a few hours Lieut. Minot, of Gen. John T. 
Morgan's command, came in a buggy, sent by 
Mr. Morgan, to tell me to hurry to him. He was 
on Sand Mountain, and was badly wounded, but 
alive. The lieutenant told me they had a severe 
fight, and Capt. Allen, of Mr. Morgan's company, 
was shot down, and so disabled he could not 
move. He begged Mr. Morgan not to leave him, 
and said that he would rather die than be taken pris- 
oner. So Mr. Morgan ran back and was endeav- 
oring to support the captain off the field. Encum- 
bered with his heavy weight, besides his pistol, mus- 
ket, and cartridge box, his movements were slow. 
He had gone only a short distance, when he felt a 
stinging pain in his side, and found the Yankees 



64 HOW IT WAS. 

had discovered his design, and were firing on him 
from all sides, and a ball struck him in his right 
hip. It was a miracle he was not killed. He 
had just reached some cedar trees when he re- 
ceived the wound, but in his excitement he 
did not think he was much hurt. When he got 
under cover, he looked down and found the blood 
gushing out of the top of his cavalry boot, and 
said to Capt. Allen: " Old fellow, I feel faint, I 
will have to lay you down, I can't struggle any 
farther." He laid him down as best he could, and 
some one saw him and carried him beyond danger 
of the enemy. 

Mr. Morgan had tied his horse near where he 
attempted to save the captain, so after he was 
wounded he crawled to his horse, and led the 
faithful steed along until he got to the surgeon's 
stand. Then he fainted from loss of blood. His 
brother got his surgeons to take charge of him. 
They laid him across some logs, examined his 
wound, and found his hip shattered and the ball 
lodged near his spine. They probed and probed, 
but could not get it out. By that time he was in a 
dead faint, and they thought they could never 
bring him to life again. But after using restora- 
tives he opened his eyes. After consultation they 
decided the ball could not be removed without in- 



HOW IT WAS. 65 

juring the spine. His brother put him on a horse 
and got Mr. Jim Copeland, of Nashville, and 
Lieuts. Minot and Hyat to ride on each side of 
him, he being in the center of the column. When 
he got to Cornersville, an old friend let him have 
a buggy and harness. They made it secure with 
ropes and strings, and then got a pillow and put him 
in the buggy. He could not sit down, so had to 
kneel on the pillow which was placed in the foot 
of the conveyance and hold on to the dashboard 
to steady himself. And when too weary of this 
position, he would be turned and would rest his 
head on the seat. The horse became frightened at 
something and began to rear and plunge and kick. 
Mr. Morgan, seeing the danger he was in, crawled 
up on the seat. The horse gave another plunge, 
and he went over the back of the buggy. Fortu- 
nately, he had presence of mind enough to roll over 
into a ditch, and the cavalry did not trample him 
to death. His companions found him and took 
him into a cornfield, made a fire and kept him as 
comfortable as possible until morning, when they 
started for the Tennessee River. He had a horror 
of being taken prisoner, and would endure any 
pain to go on with the boys. 

They finally got to Sand Mountain, where he 
met Mr. Jordan, who kept a public house. He 



66 HOW IT WAS. 

was left there until I was sent for, but had every 
attention and much kindness shown him. After 
getting settled and feeling happy that he was out 
of the way of the Federals, he sent Lieut. Minot 
for me. 

I had an infant only a few weeks old, but Dr. 
Steward told me to go: that I would be better 
off than to remain in the excited state I was in. I 
sent for his old father, got a trusty nurse; and 
when Mr. and Mrs. Tom Marshall heard of it, they 
came from Cartersville and took charge of my 
children at the hotel. Several of my friends, 
among them Rev. John Bryson, went with me to 
Rome. Then I got a wagon, and in all traveled 
two hundred and fifty miles. 

I found Mr. Morgan terribly wounded, pieces 
of bone working out, and pieces of his clothing 
that the ball had carried in worked out too. He 
also had a raging fever. I watched anxiously day 
and night for several weeks. One morning he said : 
" Cheer up. I believe I shall yet pull through, 
but it was a narrow escape." He gradually grew 
better; and when I knew all danger was over, it 
occurred to me that cover for our beds was scarce 
and hard to get, so I determined to hunt around 
among the mountain women, and see if I could 
not buy some homemade worsted counterpanes 



HOW IT WAS. ■ 67 

and blankets. I got some at twenty-five dollars 
apiece, and they did good service afterward. 

We stayed at Mr. Jordan's six weeks, and then 
decided to travel slowly until we reached Marietta. 
We got a wagon and put a feather bed in it, and 
made the horses almost walk until we got to Gads- 
den, and stopped there to rest, for Mr. Morgan 
was very weak and greatly fatigued with the trip. 
We spent the night, and in the morning he was 
much better. 

There was a party of persons going out to see 
Black Creek Falls, and he insisted that I should 
go too, as I would never have the opportunity 
again. So I went, and enjoyed it so much. I was 
delifjhted with the view. Black and Clear Creeks 
unite several miles above the falls, and empty over 
a precipice of eighty feet. As the sun throws its 
bright rays on the torrent as it dashes over the 
falls, it is a grand sight. Under the falls there 
was a platform erected, and I learned that Wheel- 
er's cavalry had had a dance there a few nights 
before. From the number of peanut hulls I saw 
the}^ must have had a jolly time with the country 
girls. After feasting our eyes on the grand 
scenery, we went back, and all decided we had 
been repaid for our trip. The next morning we 
started for Marietta, and felt almost as if we were 



68 HOW if WAS. 

going home, for we had so many kind friends 
there, and we had many to welcome us back. 
Gen. Bate hobbled out on his poor shattered leg, 
and his face beamed with pleasure at seeing his 
old friends again. We found our children well, 
and all charmed with our dear, faithful friends, 
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall, for their unremitting 
kindness to them during our absence. 



CHAPTER X. 



NEWS came that Gen. Streight intended to make 
a raid on Georgia, and great apprehension 
was felt as to the result. The next report was 
that Gen. Forrest, with three hundred and fifty 
men, had, with a ruse, captured seventeen hundred 
Yankees. We learned of the brave girl who 
jumped on behind Gen. Forrest on horseback, and 
went to show him the ford of the river where his 
soldiers could cross ; how he arranged his men in 
companies, making it appear that soldiers were ad- 
vancing from every direction, so that Gen. Streight 
thought he was surrounded with great numbers. 
Gen. Forrest gave him a certain time to surrender 
or he would open his batteries on them. They did 
surrender; and when they learned the small force 
that had captured them, they were greatly cha- 
grined and mortified. We heard that they were 
to be taken to prison at Andersonville. I felt sad 
to hear it; for although we were delighted at the 
brave daring of our much-loved general, we had 

heard such terrible accounts from our boys in 

(69) 



70 HOW IT WAS. 

Northern prisons, of suffering and privations, half 
fed and clad, with sickness and often death, suf- 
fering from the rigors of a Northern climate. I 
thought, *' With everything North to eat and wear, 
if our boys suffer so, what can we do with our lim- 
ited means to render prisoners comfortable?" and 
I wished them back with their friends. We were 
more than willing to provide for them, but what 
did we have, shut in from the whole world, and 
most of the men in the army? But we gave our 
prisoners the best we had, and were always more 
than willing to exchange. 

My servant came up one morning and said : 
*' Gen. Forrest and Mr. George W. Jones wish to 
see you." I hurried down, and was delighted to 
meet them; and as Gen. Forrest's wonderful cap- 
ture was the theme of every fireside, it was doubly 
interesting to listen to him narrate his wonderful 
maneuvers, for it would give me something to al- 
ways remember and repeat with pride. He went 
into detail, and gave to me an accurate account of 
the encounter, and I found the report to be pretty 
correct. I told him what he already knew, how 
proud we all felt of him, and asked him many 
questions on the situation of the South. I asked 
him if he considered this his most brilliant achieve- 
ment, and he said: *' No. The raid I made in 



HOW IT WAS. 71 

Murfreesboro where I captured so many in town 
and the courthouse, I consider the brightest feath- 
er in my cap." He went on to tell me that in 
Murfreesboro, in July, 1862, he captured the whole 
garrison : eighteen hundred men, six hundred head 
of horses and mules, forty wagons, six ambulanc- 
es, four pieces of artillery, and twelve hundred 
stand of small arms. This was done by a force 
equal in numbers to the Federals captured. 
" The military stores taken by me in this affair 
were valued at $1,000,000." When I looked into 
his calm face and clear gray eye I could hardly re- 
alize the pent up force that was smoldering there. 
But woe to the coward or straggler ! They had 
better meet the enemy than to encounter him. 
After he left I had quite a levee, for the ladies 
came in troops to hear what their brave chieftain 
had to say. You can't imagine in this day how 
excited and enthusiastic the women became. The 
news of victory was like an electric spark that set 
us all on fire. 

Our Nashville friends were now all scattered 
in every direction, and when we would get let- 
ters, which were few and far between, we would 
send them all around to the rest. We correspond- 
ed with a good many of our soldier boys, and we 
were often enabled to send them news of their 



72 HOW IT WAS. 

friends. I have many of these letters now, and 
they are precious relics. 

My husband received a letter from Dr. Mc- 
Tyeire, from Butler Lodge, Ala., where he was 
with his family. He wrote: *'John and myself 
expect to raise a large lot of cowpeas. Let Bob 
come down, and I will teach him to plow. We, 
hope we will succeed, for this will be my chief de- 
pendence for a living. Little did I think when my 
father died, and a few old servants cared for the 
place, that I would ever feel thankful to have it for 
a retreat for my family. My wife and children 
are bearing their exile so cheerfully." He told 
me that he was the only white man left in the 
neighborhood, as all the others were in the army, 
and he spent his time preaching and looking after 
the widows and children, and working on his 
farm. We received letters from Dr. Summers, 
Dr. A. L. P. Green, Col. Samuel D. Morgan, Gen. 
John H. Morgan, and many others. I have them 
now, and often take them out and read them to 
my children and grandchildren. But I am di- 
gressing. 



CHAPTER XL 



MR. MORGAN was still weak, suffering from 
his wounds. He was put on the retired list. 
The crowd was surging in our direction, the hotels 
were crowded with gamblers and bad characters, 
drinking, carousing, coming and going. Food 
was getting scarcer and cooking worse. To sum 
it up, confusion reigned. One day Col. John. Sav- 
age came to me and said they had changed the 
name of the hotel. I asked him the new name, 
and he said: *'H — 1 and hash house, instead of 
Kennesaw Hotel." I told him that was a fearful 
name, but he went off laughing heartily. The 
time had come when we had to make a change. 
Houses were hard to get; we were in a sad dilem- 
ma ; we did not know what to do. Fortunately, we 
heard of a house for sale, furnished complete 
throughout, everything to be sold. It was a con- 
venient place, with large rooms and a good many 
of them. We were pleased with it, so bought and 
moved into it at once, as the family occupying it 
were anxious to go South. In a short time Col. 
Samuel D. Morgan heard of our move, and wrote 

(73) 



74 HOW IT WAS. 

to me to try to get a house near us, as he was 
anxious to get his family together. After many 
trials we succeeded in getting a house next to us, 
the Episcopal church intervening. He wrote to 
Dr. Robert Wilhams and family, and with his 
granddaughters, the Misses Cheney, they came to 
Marietta and went to housekeeping. About that 
time the contents of the trunk I broufiht from Nash- 
ville were nearly exhausted, and it was almost an im- 
possibility to get goods for clothing. Some ran the 
blockade and got goods from Memphis and some 
of the Atlantic ports, but they were the fortunate 
few that succeeded. The girls needed clothes 
and had to have them, so I got a bolt of hickory 
stripe made by our factories. I will describe it for 
the benefit of the girls of to-day: It was pin- 
striped, blue and white, made of fine thread, heav- 
ier than gingham. I made a dress each for my 
two girls and two nieces. The style of make was 
a yoke, full sleeves, sash of the same, and four 
folds stitched on the bottom of the skirts. Two of 
the dresses were headed at the top of the fold with 
red and two with white cord, and when they were 
done I thought them beautiful. 

The girls decked out in them and felt so inde- 
pendent in their Southern-woven dresses, and proud 
too that they were Southern girls. These were 



HOW IT WAS. 75 

among their best dresses, and as they were satis- 
fied and pleased, I was happy to see them contented. 
The next serious question was where to get food, 
as our family was very large and the house crowded 
all the time with friends ; so our supplies had to be 
considerable, and it gave us much cause for worry. 
There were an old gentleman and lady of Northern 
birth v/ho had lived there for many years, and had 
shown us much kindness. They had a nice place 
near town, and raised quantities of vegetables and 
had nice fruits, and they were thoughtful and kind, 
often sending us baskets of fresh vegetables, honey, 
and fruits. We persuaded them to sell us every- 
thing we needed in that line. We always had a 
cordial welcome to their home, and many nice din- 
ners we have eaten with them. We needed meats 
and many things the old gentleman couldn't supply, 
so Mr. Morgan sent for him and got him to consent 
to go up and down the road to get supplies. He got 
us flour, two barrels of molasses, cowpeas, hams, 
meal, and many other necessaries. Besides these 
articles, he bought beef cattle that were poor, and 
Mr. Morgan got Joe, my faithful servant boy, to 
boil bran, cowpeas, and corn together and give 
them all they could eat, and we soon had a lot of 
fine beeves to kill. I had a good receipt for corn- 
ing beef, and I succeeded finely in keeping it, and 



76 HOW IT WAS. 

we made many a soldier boy's heart glad by divid- 
ing with him. We raised chickens, or attempted 
to do so, and we had a time, as our place was near 
the depot. We were fortunate enough to get a 
good cow, had a little garden, and some fig trees 
were on the place which bore an abunbance of 
luscious fruit. This was a new sight to us, fig 
trees bearing, but we soon learned to think them 
great delicacies. We considered ourselves very 
fortunate in having so many of the necessaries of 
life, and it made us happy to divide with those who 
couldn't get these things. Meat was a great item 
in housekeeping and it was hard to get, as the 
army consumed so much. In a short while Col. 
Samuel D. Morgan got a letter from John H. Mor- 
gan, saying: " I will soon be married to Miss Mat- 
tie Ready, of Murfreesboro, Tenn." We had had 
no intimation of any such thing, and were greatly 
surprised to hear it. When Gen. Basil Duke and 
he came to see us on Lookout Mountain, I 
thought he was too much absorbed in the war to 
think of marrying; but he did take unto himself a 
wife, and came down to Marietta to see us all, his 
uncle's family and ours. We were delighted to 
see him again, for he had by his bravery, dash, 
and brilliant achievements distinguished himself, 
and we felt he was a deserved hero, and we de- 



HOW IT WAS. 77 

lighted in honoring him. When he came with his 
pretty young wife, we thought a handsomer couple 
could not be found. He had a magnificent figure, 
was remarkably handsome, and was every inch a 
soldier. He was kind and pleasant to every one he 
met, and I think had more personal magnetism 
than any one I ever knew. The citizens toasted 
and feasted them and made their ten days' stay de- 
lightful. We had then a little baby six months 
old, named Cornelia Hunt, the middle name for 
him. He loved children, but was especially fond 
of this little curly-headed one that bore his name, 
and would always call for her when he came. 
During their stay in Marietta, they rode frequently 
on horseback, and many times we would watch 
them with interest and think how distinguished 
they looked. He often talked to us about the war, 
and one night we all gathered around him, the 
children all excitement, wanting to catch every 
word, and asked him to tell us of some of his dar- 
ing deeds. He related many incidents that had oc- 
curred since he started out, but after a lapse of 
thirty years many of them have escaped my mem- 
ory. But one incident I recall. He said he heard 
a long train would leave Louisville on a certain 
day filled with clothes for the soldiers and army 
stores of all kinds and in large quantities. He 



78 HOW IT WAS. 

made a clash into Kentucky, and by traveling 
day and night met the train just beyond Mam- 
moth Cave. His daring soldiers dashed up and 
stopped the train. He said it was the longest one 
he ever saw, not only filled with army stores, but 
a great many ladies going to Nashville, some to 
join their husbands and others to meet their sweet- 
hearts, for the Federals were having a nice time 
in Nashville. When the train was drawn up, he 
said he never saw such consternation depicted on 
faces. One old lady ran up to him and begged 
him not to kill her; told him to take all she had, 
but spare her life. He remarked that it ma^lehim 
feel embarrassed to be regarded as a murderer of 
helpless women and children — a man who had al- 
ways been proverbial for his gallantry to ladies; 
but such horrible tales had been told about him that 
they were prepared to meet a brigand, and they 
regarded him as a monster in human guise. He 
said his soldiers and himself ran from car to car 
and escorted the women and children out, placed 
them where they would be out of danger, and then 
went to work to destroy and burn up everything, 
he taking time to run out and reassure the ladies 
that they should not be hurt. Some of them 
begged him piteously for their trunks, but he told 
them he was sorry that his time was too limited to 



HOW IT WAS. 79 

show them such courtesies. Some laughed at the 
ludicrous position they were in, and others rained 
down imprecations on his head. The soldiers 
made a complete wreck of everything, and with a 
military salute and profound bow bade the ladies 
farewell, jumped on their horses, and were gone. 
That train was a great loss to the Federals, and as 
such large stores of clothes and army supplies were 
burned, it retarded their progress for several days. 
His delightful visit was drawing to an end, he was 
much impressed with the kindness shown him by 
all, and said his visit would not be soon forgotten. 
He came to say good-bye to us, and I made him 
promise to keep us posted as to his movements, 
and he said he wovild send us Videttes from every 
point he made a raid. This little paper was edited 
by Major Gano, of his command — just a small sheet, 
inferior paper, and published hastily, but gave the 
welcome news of his movements. I have some of 
them now; but they are old, ragged, and worn. 
The last one we got was from Hartsville, Tenn., 
telling of his fight and captures there. Not long 
after that he was captured by the Federals and 
taken to a Northern prison, and as all are familiar 
with his capture I will not recount it, but a letter 
written to his uncle describing his feelings and 
thoughts while imprisoned thrilled us at the time. 



CHAPTER XII. 



HE went on to tell his different plans for escape. 
He described the dogs in the prison yard, and 
how ferocious they were, and knew he would have 
to pass these brutes to get out of the inclosure. 
And many hours he would roll from side to side 
on his cot, and try to think of some way to get 
them off his track; but it seemed that all schemes 
failed. He said he felt that to have gotten them out 
of his way he would have eaten them . He made his 
escape from prison one dark night when the rain 
was pouring down in torrents, and succeeded in 
crawling by the guard, hardly breathing until all 
danger was past. After his death a good many of 
his command were stationed near Marietta with 
Wheeler's Division. They would come in often to 
see us. Many of them I had met on Lookout 
Mountain. Among them were Drs. Joe and 
CharHe Tidings, surgeons in John H. Morgan's 
command. They were very kind to us, and gave 
me a case of medicines, with instructions how to 
use them in case of emergency, for physicians 

were so much in demand, caring for the sick and 
(80) 



now IT WAS. 8 1 

wounded, that it was often with difficulty that they 
could be found when needed. They were kind 
and attentive to Mr. Morgan in his weakened con- 
dition. The ball in his side could not be removed, 
and it gave him continual pain, pressing against 
his spine. The surgeons told him that after awhile 
a sack would gradually form around the ball, but 
not to entertain any hope that it could ever be ex- 
tracted. He is now an old man, many long years 
have elapsed since those stirring and sorrowful 
times, and the ball is often still a reminder of those 
days of strife and bloodshed. 

I had so many cares now, I could not go to the 
hospitals as often as I wished, but whenever I 
could find time I would prepare waiters of delica- 
cies, and the girls would help me take them. They 
would wait at the doors and I would go through 
and distribute them to the poor, desolate, home- 
sick boys, and my heart would bound with pleas- 
ure to see the grateful look of appreciation on their 
poor, sunken faces ; and they would tell me how 
good everything tasted after eating so much old 
light bread and soup. Capt. Jim Barnes and 
Capt. Ed Douglass, of Nashville, came from East 
Tennessee with rheumatism, and stayed with me 
two months, until they got well enough to join 

their commands. 
6 



82 HOW IT WAS. 

The army was still falling back and fighting al- 
most all the time, for they contested every foot of 
ground from Dalton to Atlanta, though against 
overwhelming numbers. Such deeds of bravery 
and valor were never surpassed; but were shared 
by Wheeler, Cheatham, Dibrell, Morgan, and in- 
deed all, for it would be hard to discriminate, 
they all fought so bravely. 

I heard that Col. Terry Cahal, one of our Nash- 
ville boys, was badly wounded. They were in a 
fight, and he leaped over the fortifications and 
wrested the colors from the enemy, and in his ef- 
fort to get back was shot. I had him brought to 
my home, where I could watch him. He was tell- 
ing me of the fight with great exultation, and said 
that he did not mind being hurt to get their colors. 
His wound was not as serious as it was at first 
thought to be. He was considered brave and 
daring almost to recklessness. 

Marietta, being so near the army, was now 
crowded all the time, and our house filled to over- 
flowing. It was very elastic, and we could always 
find room for one more. One night we had as guests 
Gen. John M. Bright, Gov. Neil S. Brown, Judge 
Marchbanks, Dr. C. D. Elliott, Rev. John Bry- 
son, Col. Robinson, Col. Terry Cahal, and Dr. 
John B. McFerrin. We had two mattresses on 



now IT WAS. 83 

most of the beds, so we would take one off of 
each and spread them around in different rooms, 
parlor included. Our family was large, so with 
these guests added it looked like a small hotel. I 
had to put Dr. McFerrin in the bed with a very 
fleshy man, and expressed my regrets, but he 
said: '* Don't worry, sister, for this is good sleep- 
ing; better than I have been used to, for I have 
been lying on the ground in camp with the boys.'* 
The all-absorbing theme was the removal of Gen. 
Joe Johnston. Many thought that President Davis 
had committed the error of his life, for Gen. John- 
ston had only to command and the soldiers obeyed, 
never questioning a move, for they had implicit 
confidence in him. And the soldiers would often 
say: " What old Joe does is all right. He knows 
what he is about." With Gen. Hood they had 
some fears; but their ardor for the cause was so 
great that they did not stop to cavil, but rushed with 
impetuosity to accomplish all they were ordered to 
do. They often said, afterward: " If old Joe had 
been left in command. Gen. Sherman would nev- 
er have got to the ocean." President Davis was 
terribly censured, but his conduct since then for 
thirty years has refuted all charges and calumny 
imputed to him at the time. When I think of that 
grand character, sometimes seeming almost isola- 



84 now IT WAS. 

ted, censured by the South for what they conceived 
an error of judgment, and calumniated all over 
the North, I wonder that that proud spirit of that 
weak body did not succumb. But he was so deeply 
imbued with the idea of sovereignty of the States 
that he died battling for what he conceived to be 
the bulwark of the South, these rights. 

Well, many changes were taking place on all 
sides. The school our girls had attended, taught 
by Mr. Benedict, was given up, and we were 
greatly worried as to where we would send them. 
Mr. Jesse Thomas, of Nashville, came to Marietta; 
and knowing how competent Miss Kate Thomas 
was as a teacher, we begged her to take a class. 
She timidly shrank from anything of the kind, but 
after a good deal of persuasion we got her to con- 
sent to open a school. Col. Samuel D. Morgan 
sent his granddaughters, Mr. Lytton his girls, four 
went from our home, and from the ladies of Ma- 
rietta she had many applications. Many a glad 
mother had reason to thank Miss Kate for the 
training of her daughters in gentle, ladylike de- 
portment, and classic and text-book knowledge. 



CHAPTER XIIL 



WE would have daily visits from some of our 
boys. Hardly a day would pass but what 
we would see some famihar face. Gens. Cheath- 
am and Bate, Capts. Joe Phillips and Van Mc- 
Iver, Maj. James W. Thomas, Lieut. George Lyt- 
ton, Capt. Matt Pilcher, Mr. Jim Buckner, Capts. 
James Cooper, Capt. John Morton, ColHns Bright, 
and many others too numerous to mention. Gen. 
Frank Cheatham, '* Our Frank," as the boys 
called him, would run in occasionally. He was al- 
ways jolly, but often looked weather beaten, with 
faded clothes and bronzed face. The boys would 
say: '^We will go anywhere old Frank orders us, 
even were it in the cannon's mouth." He re- 
minded me of an old Roman soldier, so dignified 
when commanding his troops; but when not on 
duty, he was a genial companion. We felt proud 
of our Tennessee boys, but had an especially ten- 
der place for the "Rock City Guards," as they 
were boys we had known all our lives; but all 
knew that they had a welcome at our home, and 

whenever they could get leave of absence for a 

(So) 



86 HOW IT WAS. 

few days, would slip down to Marietta, and we 
would spend happy hours together, and many a 
little entertainment the girls would get up for their 
pleasure, and such hunting of clothes and decking 
out was right laughable. My husband's wardrobe 
was drawn on until he could sometimes scarcely 
find a change of clothes, white shirts particularly, 
and handkerchiefs. Pieces of ribbon and any- 
thing were used for cravats; but the boys had a 
merry time, anyway, and old Marietta would re- 
sound with their enthusiastic songs: *' Bonnie 
Blue Flag," " Dixie," '' My Maryland," and many 
others I have forgotten. They would often wind 
up with " Home, Sweet Home," and the tears 
would gather in their eyes. They would have for 
refreshments, popcorn, sorghum candy, goober- 
peas, and sometimes cake, and all kinds of fruits 
How they would enjoy it, after eating hard bread 
and bacon, and sometimes beans and cowpeas 
for days ! When they would start back, I would 
fill their canteens with buttermilk and sorghum 
molasses, give them a piece of corned beef and 
some beaten biscuit, and they would feel rich and 
happy. 

Our old friend, Gen. John M. Bright, had a son 
not quite fourteen years old, who gave him great 
uneasiness. He was well grown for his age. 



HOW IT WAS. 87 

looked older than he was ; and as his brothers were 
in the army, he was anxious to go too, but his fa- 
ther thought it best for him to stay in Lincoln 
County with his family. But news came that John 
Massey, a splendid young man, and others, of Fay- 
eteville, had been shot by order of a Federal gen- 
eral for bushwhacking. John was of an impetu- 
ous disposition, and his father determined to get 
him out of the lines, for fear he would be killed. 
* He finally succeeded, and sent him to Chapel Hill, 
N. C, to school; paid his tuition in advance, and 
in talking to me about him congratulated himself 
on the good arrangements he had made for him, 
and that a great trouble had been lifted off him. 
After a few weeks Johnny appeared at my door, 
carpetbag in hand, greeted me, and was overjoyed 
to see us. I in return was delighted to see him, 
for I loved him very dearly. His mother had been 
one of my cherished friends for years. I ex- 
pressed great surprise, and asked him how he got 
here. He said: *' Well, Aunt Julia, I couldn't 
study, and I worried and worried the teacher until 
he gave my money back. If he had not done it, I 
would have run off, for I intend to join the army." 
He opened his valise and commenced pulling out 
clothes, and said: " See what I have brought you 
all." He had a thin summer coat for Mr. Morgan, 



88 HOW IT WAS. 

and a handsome meerschaum pipe, and something 
for the children and myself, and he presented them 
with a beaming face. I told him that I was very 
sorry he had spent his money. " Your father was 
here last xveek and told me that his family were 
having a hard time at home in the lines, and need- 
ed that money." He looked very sorrowful for a 
few minutes, but in a little while after I heard his 
merry laugh with the children, and I went in and 
asked him what he intended to do. He said that 
in a few days he intended to go up to the army, 
but I knew that his father would not consent to it 
for a moment, for he was entirely too young. I 
consulted Mr. Morgan, and we decided that he 
should not go, and told him so, and also informed 
him that he had to start to school, which he re- 
luctantly consented to do. The next morning we 
entered him, and we had a merry time watching 
John to keep him from running off. His father 
was urging him all the time to stay and try to im- 
prove his time, and insisted on us controlling him 
as we would our own boy. I had my seven chil- 
dren, two nieces, and John, making ten young 
people in all, and my hands and heart were full of 
anxieties and cares. My husband was still feeble. 
He hobbled around on crutches, and gave me all 
the assistance he could in managing the children 
and household. 



HOW IT WAS. 89 

Joe, my faithful servant, worked my garden, 
and we had a quantity of nice, fresh vegetables, 
plenty of milk and butter, meat, flour, and so on; 
but our soap gave out, and we could not buy it. 
We were in a dilemma — war times, and no soap. 
A friend of my husband told him that they had at 
the commissary department a large lot of refuse 
grease, and said that if we would send for it we 
could have it. So we did send, and got the grease, 
and also a quantity of wood ashes from friends. 
I called Joe up, and asked him if he could make 
an old fashioned lye hopper. So we went to work, 
run the lye down, and began on our soap. In a 
few days we had four barrels of fine lye soap, but 
my eyes were nearly smoked out. I was proud 
of my success, and made enough to last me till the 
close of the war. 

We often wondered that we had nothing stolen, 
as there were so many coming and going all the 
time, colored and white. I will mention a fact 
that astonished every one. The morning I left 
Nashville I hastily gathered up six or seven dozen 
knives, forks, and spoons, small and large, with 
my name on them. I used them constantly in the 
house and kitchen — for I had no others — never 
losing a single piece, and when I came back to 
Nashville I brouirht them all home safely. It 



go HOW IT WAS. 

was remarkable how little stealing was done, es- 
pecially in provioions, for so many were on short 
rations. 

I must say that we should never forget the ne- 
groes, for they were faithful and industrious, and 
seemed to face their responsibilities. Many said to 
me: *' De las' promise I made old master was, I 
would take cTood care of missus and de chilluns." 
And faithfully did they keep their promise. When 
news would come that an old or young master was 
killed, they would weep with the family pure tears 
of affection. I would hear the old mammies tell 
of the different ones of the children that they had 
'* nussed," and now they were big soldier boys, 
and had gone to fight for their country; and in 
letters these boys would write home there were al- 
ways messages of love for their " dear old mam- 
my." And when the brave boys gave up their 
lives and were fortunate enough to be sent home, 
those black mammies were amonrr the first to show 

o 

the last tender love and respect for their beloved 
dead. They were always proud of " our white 
folks," as they called them, and were ever ready 
to do their bidding and attend to every want. I 
do not remember a single act of lawlessness on 
their part during the war. I have a warm place in 
my heart for the negroes, and can't help but feel 






GEN. GEO. G. DIBRELL. 



HOW IT WAS. gi 

grateful to them for their unremitting fideHty to us 
during the long struggle. 

The army was now falling back slowly but sure- 
ly, and we would hear of thrilling deeds of daring 
on the part of our brave boys led by our faithful 
and chivalrous Gen. Dibrell: making a dash 
where the enemy least expected them, killing and 
capturing many. His command were devoted to 
him. The boys would (different ones) get leave 
of absence, and would nearly always come down 
to spend a few days among Nashville friends. It 
did our hearts good to see them eat. Many, many 
times when they would be in a hurry to start back 
I would make them go out and help the girls 
churn, so they could take their canteens full of 
fresh buttermilk; and what a frolic they would 
make of it ! 

Letters often came asking us to send or buy for 
them articles of clothing, and particularly shoes, 
and often they did not lit, but would have to be 
worn. You must not suppose for a moment that 
we were the only workers, for many others were 
doing as much and more than we. But I started 
out to tell what I saw, heard, and did, and I was 
kept so busy that I didn't have time to know whnt 
others were doingf. 

The soldiers were the most cheerful persons we 



92 HOW IT WAS. 

would see. They would come with their clothes 
faded, ragged, and drawn up from rain and ex- 
posure until the tops of their socks were showing, 
and we would never hear a murmur or complaint 
from them. 

One day Neil Brown came in to see us. He 
looked so weather-beaten that I scarcely recognized 
him. I gazed at his handsome, bronzed face — 
only a beardless boy — and thought him the picture 
of bravery, and he looked as if the word " fail " 
never entered his vocabulary, although it appeared 
dark to us. You would see often perfect carica- 
tures among the poor fellows, but if it made them 
sensitive, they didn't show it. They seemed mer- 
ry and light-hearted, and I would often look at 
them and wonder that in the midst of so many un- 
certainties how they could be bright; for who 
knew but that before the w^eek was out some 
of them would be still in death. I could hardly re- 
strain my tears before them, and would often leave 
them to conceal my emotions. Many of these dear 
ones I had known from childhood, and in our ex- 
ile they felt very near to us. With how much 
pleasure did we contribute to their w^ints and try 
to make their stay wnth us pleasant! And when 
we would bid them good-bye, it was often their last 
farewell on earth. 



CHAPTER XIV. 



T WAS suffering great apprehension every day 
1 about my seven-year-old boy, for fear he would 
be killed. I had made him an artillery suit, and 
he would tell every one that he belonged to Capt. 
John Morton's battery, and he really thought he 
was a soldier. He had a dozen little boys he would 
drill, and called them his company. They would 
march up and down the street, and frequently during 
the day you could hear '* hep, hep," stepping to the 
music of drums and tin horns, or anything that 
came handy that they could make a noise with. 
Sometimes tin pans and sticks would be a substi- 
tute for lack of something better. He was a spright- 
ly little fellow, and the soldiers nearly ruined him. 
He called old and young by their first names— John 
or Tom, or whatever it might be. I would reprove 
him, and he would say: -They told me to call 
them that." It all did very well for awhile, and 
amused us, but he began to think he was monarch 
of all he surveyed, and acted accordingly. He 
would run off from home and I would hear of him 
riding behind one of the soldiers in one direction, 

(93) 



94 HOW IT WAS. 

and a little while after be would be seated up be- 
side the driver on an artillery wagon sailing another 
way. I would send runners to hunt him, would 
bring him home and punish him; but often the 
temptation to be with the soldiers would overcome 
him, and he would start again. He would listen to 
them talk, and he would tell us marvelous tales. 
He had no idea of numbers and his hundreds of 
killed and wounded would swell up into the thou- 
sands. To sum it all up, he was fast getting to be 
a regular newsmonger, and was as well known as 
any boy in Marietta. He knew persons I had 
never heard of, and would yell out, " Howdy, 
Bill," maybe to some settled man, or one with 
gray hairs. But to top the climax, Mr. Fred Shep- 
herd came leading him in one day, and told me if 
I didn't want a dead boy I would have to keep him 
at home. He said: " I just pulled him out from 
under a car that was oscillating, ready to start. 
His whole bag of marbles had tumbled out and had 
rolled under the cars, and he started right after 
them, -and I happened along just in time to save 
him." It was such a narrow escape that it made me 
tremble, and I thought: **What shall I do with him?" 
I was almost in despair. I had whipped him, put 
him to bed, tied him to a chair, and would often 
bribe him to be good. He had quite a contempt 



HOW IT WAS. 05 

for girls, and thought it a great insult to be called 
like them. So I thought over every mode of pun- 
ishment, and concluded I would put a hoop skirt 
on him and a dress with a long train. I said: 
" My son, I have tried to have a nice hoy, but he 
is so bad and runs away so much I will have to 
make a little girl of him." He wailed, but I per- 
sisted, and took my chair for the evening and 
stayed with him. In a short while several persons 
came up to my room, and he would run behind the 
door, pulling his train after him. He would stay 
still for some time, until his curiosity would get 
the best of him and he would peep out. Some of 
the ladies got a glimpse of his hoop skirt, and 
laughed heartily, and asked me what on earth was 
the matter with the child. I told them I had made a 
girl of him to keep him at home ; that he ran away 
and behaved so badly. Then he would scream and 
cry and try to explain, but I persisted; and late in 
the evening he got so tired of the room he ventured 
out in the hall to see what was going on among the 
children, but as soon as he spied them he came 
flying back and they after him to know what was 
the matter. But " Sallie," as I called him, got in 
first, trail and all, and slammed the door and said: 
" Please, ma'am, take them off, and I will never run 
off again." It did break him of this troublesome 



g6 HOW IT WAS. 

habit of running off, but in after years I had cause 
to regret it; for the name followed him to Nash- 
ville, and more than one fight resulted from his 
being called by that name. And whenever they 
did dare to utter that name they would prepare to 
get out of his way, for rocks would fly in the cause. 
But after he grew up to manhood the name seemed 
to have a fascination for him, for his partner for 
life was called '* Sallie." 



CHAPTER XV. 



THE lines were tightening each day. Fights oc- 
curred constantly below Dalton, the troops 
stoutly contesting every inch of ground. We would 
hear startling rumors every hour of the nearness of 
the enemy. Now and then Gen. Frank Cheatham 
would run in for an hour or two. We had great 
confidence in him, and looked up to him as one of 
our bravest leaders. He was so sympathetic and 
kind to the boys that they almost idolized him, and 
the soldiers would often say to me : "Why, old Frank 
is one of the boys." But in battle they obeyed 
him implicitly. As the army was falling back now 
daily, Mr. Morgan was in great trouble about us; 
he didn't know whether to send us farther south 
or to let us remain in Marietta. He had his old 
father and his sister and family on a little farm liv- 
ing comfortably, and as we were well fixed in Ma- 
rietta and the children at school, he concluded the 
best thing to do in the event of the enemy getting 
to Marietta, was to let us remain quietly in the lines 
and he would ^o farther South. In the meanwhile 

the excitement was getting to fever heat, and as 
7 (!)7) 



98 HOW IT WAS. 

the children shared with the older ones in this ter- 
rible nervous strain, they became so excited that 
study was out of the question. My nieces went 
out to stay a few days with their mother, never 
dreaming of any trouble. The enemy were ad- 
vancing, and soon old Kennesaw resounded with 
the roar of artillery. We would go out at night 
and listen to the reverberation of that old moun- 
tain, knowing that every shot was the death knell 
of some dear one. O the tension was fearful! 
How my heart would go out to our dear boys and 
the loved ones at home ! But all we could do was 
to bow our heads in prayer and beg God to help us 
all and sustain us by his grace. Nearer and nearer 
the sounds would come, the excitement increasing. 
I never will forget the day the news came that Gen. 
Polk was killed. He was greatly beloved by all, 
not only for his bravery, but for his pure Christian 
character. The next startling information was that 
the enemy were in a few miles of the town in over- 
whelming numbers, and were advancing rapidly. 
The scene beggared description — the town was al- 
most in a frenzy of excitement. Our house was 
crowded with soldiers, as the army was almost in 
the town. The boys begged Mr. Morgan to take 
us South, and he said he had moved his family so 
much he didn't see how he could go farther; but 



HOW IT WAS. 99 

that boom, boom, boom got to be every minute, 
resounding from hilltop to hilltop. We could see 
the smoke from the firing. O it was a grand but 
awful sight ! We could do nothing but walk, talk, 
and wait, feeling that some great calamity was im- 
pending. We could hear nothing from Sister 
Lucy and family, and knew by that time that the 
enemy were near her house, and we thought of the 
girls, the old father and daughter in their helpless 
condition, and we were miserable. We knew the 
old man could do nothing to protect them, and our 
hands were equally powerless; we were nearly 
crazy. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



ALL the information we could glean was that 
our army was fighting as few ever fought, and 
falling on all sides. About ii o'clock we saw an 
ambulance stop at the gate, and my first thought 
was that some dear one, wounded or dead, had been 
brought to us. We ran to see who it was, when sister 
and girls bounded out, then the old father and three 
negroes, all in a pitiful condition. Their clothes 
were muddy, bedraggled, and saturated with water. 
They told us the Federal batteries were planted so 
that they swept the house, and shell after shell was 
sent crashing and shrieking through the house. At 
intervals they tried to get their precious clothes, and 
succeeded and tied them up in bundles and then 
started to run. A shell would burst near them and 
they would drop their treasures and cry awhile, 
then at an interval seize them and start running 
until they got far enough to feel safe from the shells. 
It commenced raining, and they were in a deplora- 
ble condition. Gen. John T. Morgan, her brother, 
with his command, had been for several days around 
and in her house, as she knew many of them; but 

he had taken part of his troops and had gone 
(100) 



HOW IT WAS. lOI 

around in another direction to meet the enemy, 
leaving part of his command with Wheeler's Bri- 
gade. When they returned to where Wheeler's 
troops were stationed and heard of the sad plight 
the family were in, the boys were furious; they 
beheved it premeditated cruelty on the part of the 
Federals. They jumped on their horses and in the 
midst of flying shells rode up to where the helpless 
family were in the woods near their house. The 
enemy in passing had raided the house, and as 
they could not carry off the things, had deliberately 
ripped open feather beds and had the contents fly- 
ing in every direction; had knocked in the heads 
of several barrels of molasses and did all the dam- 
age they could. After they left our boys went into 
the house and saved what things they thought most 
essential for the family and that could be hurriedly 
moved ; brought ambulances enough to carry the 
family and what was left of their belongings to 
Marietta. Some of the boys laughed and said the 
last things they saw were ducks, chickens, and tur- 
keys struggling in molasses and feathers. After 
hearing of the treatment they had received, we 
were terribly frightened, and begged to be taken 
farther South. The soldiers told Mr. Morgan they 
would help us in every way to get ready for a hasty 
departure, so he telegraphed a friend in Augusta to 



I02 HOW IT WAS. 

get US a place. He succeeded in renting half of a 
house on the Sand Hills, near Augusta. After we 
decided to go there was no time to lose, so the sol- 
dier boys went to work, helped to take down the 
beds and furniture, and we got things packed up 
in a short time. Maj. Cummings kindly let us 
have cars enough to hold our things. Gen. John 
M. Bright, Col. Terry Cahal, Capt. Collins Bright, 
Jim Buckner, and many of the Rock City Guards 
came in and went to work. Such a hurry and 
confusion there was then, all anxious to see us 
start. By this time pandemonium reigned in the 
streets — soldiers, wagons, artillery wagons, drivers 
shouting and hurrying, and the *' tramp, tramp, 
tramp " was heard in every direction, all falling 
back as fast as possible, going to Atlanta to make a 
stand. We were soon in readiness, all of our small 
possessions packed in the cars. Mr. Morgan, his 
father and sister with her family, the children and 
myself, and our faithful Joe got on the car and 
started to Atlanta. On arriving in that city, we 
were in such a crowd we had to wait some time 
before we could push through. Every little while 
some kind friend would come in and speak a word 
of encouragement and offer to render some assist- 
ance. Maj. John Bransford was also among our 
friends who volunteered his services. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



WE were worn out from work and anxiety, 
and so tired waiting, and were almost fam- 
ished for water. It was very scarce, as hun- 
dreds of soldiers and people from every direc- 
tion were thirsty too, and were begging for it on 
all sides. I don't know when I ever felt so grati- 
fied in all my life as when old Dr. Hudson, of 
Nashville, came up with a tin bucket of cool, fresh 
buttermilk. He told me that he had walked for 
some time trying to find this milk for the children 
and myself ; had offered to buy it, and finally he 
succeeded in begging this bucketful. I thought it 
the most delicious milk that I had ever tasted. We 
ull enjoyed it and thanked the old gentleman most 
heartily. We looked and wondered how he had 
squeezed through that surging mass, and felt grate- 
ful beyond expression for his kindness. It was in- 
deed the cup of cold water given to the thirsty. 

From Atlanta, Mr. Morgan sent his father, sis- 
ter, and her little children to Alabama, and we 
started with our family and two nieces to Augusta, 

and thence to the Sand Hills, a lovely suburb of 

n03) 



I04 HOW IT WAS. 

Augusta, and we were fortunate enough to rent 
half of a house owned by two sisters, Mrs. Edgar 
and Miss Carmichael, nieces of Dr. Paul F. Eve, 
of Nashville. They gave us a warm welcome to a 
delightful home. We had five large rooms and 
were pleasantly situated, and remained with them 
until the war closed. Mrs. Edgar, sister, and two 
boys just returned from the Virginia Military In- 
stitute occupied the other half of the house. We 
never had kinder friends than they were, and the 
friendship has been continued since the war. 

In a short time there was a call for ladies, men, 
boys, and girls to come to the Arsenal to help 
make cartridges, and as they were needed, the 
girls from Augusta and the Sand Hills (mine 
among the number) responded. The girls were 
patriotic, and didn't shrink from doing anything to 
help the cause so near to our hearts. They didn't 
ask, *' What can I do?'' but, *'What must I do?" 
willing to have work assigned them. They 
went every day and worked faithfully for several 
weeks, and for some time after this. They would 
bring home as a souvenir a cartridge they had 
helped make, and the patriotic Southern blood 
burned proudly in their veins as they would tell 
how faithfully they had labored for their country. 



CHAPTER XVIII. 



THUS the work at the Arsenal went steadily on, 
and to increase the interest and hasten the 
work, they began to pay from fifty cents to $i a 
day. The girls were too patriotic to take any 
money for their services, but the little boys thought 
that they would make a little money for them- 
selves, and at night on their return they would 
compare notes and have a big counting, and they 
thought themselves very rich. 

One night I overheard a conversation between 
Johnny Bright and my little son. He told him 
that he had saved up $30, and he would show 
them all what he intended to do with it. And on 
being pressed to know what he had on hand, 
said: *' I am going to run off and join the army." 
I walked in and said: *'Well, young man, what 
will your $30 buy? You need shoes and a hat 
now, and your money won't buy you a pair of 
shoes." For by that time the money had de- 
preciated so that everything brought fabulous 
prices. He looked crestfallen, and did not say 

anything again for some time about going. I do 

(105) 



Io6 HOW IT WAS. 

not give dates of occurrences, for after thirty years, 
and writing from memory, many facts as well as 
dates have been forgotten. 

A few weeks after my encounter with John 
Bright we sent our two daughters and two nieces 
to Eatonton, Ga., to school to Mrs. Jane T. H. 
Cross, an old Nashville teacher, who had opened 
a large school there. Other Nashville girls attend- 
the same school, and our girls boarded with Mr. 
Jesse Thomas's family. A few days after they 
left, Mr. Allen Washin^j^ton, wife, and five chil- 
dren came from Marietta, and remained with us 
until he could secure them a home elsewhere. 
Mr. Washington was in the government clothing 
department, and he was kept pretty busy securing 
clothing for our needy boys. Among others from 
Nashville who took a prominent part in this de- 
partment were Maj. V. K. Stephenson, Mr. 
George O'Bryan, Mr. George Cunningham, and 
Mr. Tom Massengale. Mr. Washington would 
run down every few days to spend a day and 
night with his famiW, and after several efforts 
he finally secured them a 'home. After they 
left I commenced my work again in the hospi- 
tals. I found them crowded with , our wound- 
ed boys, and more coming in every day. I of- 
fered to help in any way I could, and they told me 



HOW IT WAS. 107 

that it was hard work for them to get enough for 
all to eat, and if I would help prepare food for 
them it would be a great blessing. So I told them 
that I would cook two days in each week for the 
gangrene hospital. They sent me out a number 
of hams and sacks of flour, and I got Joe to build 
up a fire under a large kettle I had, and we would 
boil a number of the hams at once. While they 
were cooking, we would make up a large lot of 
beaten biscuit, and the ladies of the Sand Hills 
were very kind in making frequent donations of 
delicacies, and the next morning I would start 
with the nice things, just as happy as I could be 
to feel that I could minister to the sufferers. Joe 
would take the express and I the barouche, often 
well packed, and I would go in and out to help 
distribute, always looking for our Nashville boys. 
In these many journeys made, my heart was glad- 
dened when I could see the look of pleasure and 
gratitude on many pinched and suffering faces. 
Many bandages did I remove, and would wash and 
dress the wounds, for the surgeons were so 
rushed it was impossible to pay the attention that 
cases really needed. Often letters would have to 
be written to the absent loved ones at home, some 
the last love greetings they would ever get from 
their soldier boys. O the horrors of war! I hope 



I08 HOW IT WAS. 

I will never have to pass through such heartrend- 
ing scenes again. If I could remember all the sad 
sights I witnessed during the four years I was 
South, it would fill a large volume, for I was in the 
midst of it from the time I left Lookout Mountain 
till the close of the war. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

IN a few weeks we had a colony of Tennessceans 
on the hill. Col. E. W. Cole, Mr. Tom Massen- 
gale, Mr. Gerry Pearl, Maj. Cunningham, all with 
their families, and many others too numerous to 
mention. We were all kept busy, and it seemed to 
me that the Southern women thought nothing too 
difficult to undertake, always feeling that where 
there was a will there was a way out of all difficulties. 
I went one day to see Mrs. Col. Cole, who was a 
big-hearted, thoroughgoing woman, and loyal to 
her country. On entering the room I heard a pe- 
culiar noise, and I asked what it v/as. She told me 
it was silkworms feeding ; and sure enough there 
they were, feasting on leaves. She said: *' The 
soldiers, many of them my friends, need silk hand- 
kerchiefs, and I have already woven quite a num- 
ber." And when she showed me the results of 
her labor, I was astonished. 

Things were developing so fast that the crisis 
seemed almost upon us. We were almost in the 
throes of death, and fighting desperately was the 

order of the day. Many more wounded men were 

(109) 



no HOW IT WAS. 

brought to Augusta, and among them Capt. CoUins 
Bright. He was badly wounded, gangrene had 
set in, and he was in a pitiful condition. He sent 
me word he was there, and I went in immediately 
to see him. My husband told me before starting 
that I must use every effort that I could to get per- 
mission to bring him home with me, so we could 
nurse and give him that attention he could not re- 
ceive at the hospital. Capt. Bright said his desti- 
nation was another point, but he heard that we 
were near Augusta, so he begged to be taken 
there. The officers had given orders that none 
should be taken to private houses, as many were 
already scattered in different directions, and some 
tarried longer than the officials thought necessary. 
I begged hard and long before I could gain their 
consent to remove him. Then certain conditions 
were imposed that I thought rather hard. They 
were to this effect: That I must come in every 
morning at 9 o'clock and report his condition. I 
gladly consented, and with his servant's (Ira) help 
got him in the carriage and we both started home 
happy. I got directions from the doctor what to 
do, and upon examination found he was wounded 
above the knee on the underside of his leg, and a 
larcre hole was there where the flesh had been shot 
away. V/hen I looked at the lacerated, angry- 



HOW IT WAS. Ill 

looking leg, I felt faint and turned away, but only 
for a moment, for he was suffering intensely. I 
went to work, and with Ira's assistance, bathed 
and dressed it. He suffered agonies, for the lead- 
ers in the leg could be plainly seen where the flesh 
was torn out. He was unable to move himself, 
and he was weak and feverish. I had to obey 
orders and be at the hospital not later than 9 
o'clock to report his condition. I went for a 
week and found it exceedingly irksome, and began 
to feel that it was a farce. One morning I found 
quite a number of young doctors in the office, look- 
ing gay and jolly. They were laughing and talk- 
ing, and seemed to be having a good time. I 
said: *' Gentlemen,! want to see Dr. PaulF. Eve." 
They told me that he was not in, and didn't know 
where he could be found, as he was going all the 
time from one hospital to another. I said to them 
that if I could see him I knew he would put a stop 
to all this foolishness, coming to report every day 
that my soldier had not run off, when he was too 
weak to turn in his bed. They laughed and said: 
" Madam, you have earned your soldier; and you 
needn't come any more." And they went on to 
tell us the difficulties they had to contend with ; so 
many being absent and would not report to them, 
and asked me to please let them know every now 



112 HOW IT WAS. 

and then how the captain was getting on, and " if 
you need medical assistance, we will gladly re- 
spond.'' I thanked them heartily, and bowed my- 
self out, and went home feeling greatly relieved. I 
nursed him faithfully for nearly three months, and 
then he was able to rejoin his command. 

One morning a box was sent me from Col. Sam- 
uel D. Morgan, by a trusty friend, containing 
twelve thousand dollars in gold, and he said I must 
take care of it for him ; for he was afraid it might 
be stolen, and added that both his family and ours 
might need it before the war was over. After 
keeping it for awhile I felt very uneasy about 
having such a large sum in my possession, so de- 
cided to send it back. I was so uneasy I couldn't 
sleep for fear some one would rob us. It was re- 
turned to Madison, Ga. In a little while it came 
back to me, and he said I must keep it, for he 
felt it was more secure in my hands. I was in 
a sad dilemma, not knowing what to do. I now 
had his $12,000 and $7,000 of our own in gold, 
besides watches and gold trinkets the boys had 
left with me for safe-keeping. I would lie awake 
at night and try to devise some means of safety — 
some secure place to hide it — and the more I 
thought the more I was troubled ; for the servants 
were going in and out all the time, and all were a 



now IT WAS. 113 

sharp, keen set. I worried daily, and finally took 
my friend, Mrs. Edgar, in whose house we lived, 
into my confidence, and we decided to bury it in 
the cellar. 1 got her to send her servants on er- 
rands a long distance from the house, and I told 
mine to take my children to walk. Then we had 
to hurry. I took part of the gold and ran to the 
cellar and hid it behind some boards and ran back 
for the rest. When I got in the cellar I locked the 
door inside. It was a long room running the length 
of the house, and had been used for years for saw- 
ing and stacking wood and for coal; but after lock- 
ing myself in I found to my consternation that I 
had forgotten to bring the mattock for digging the 
hole to deposit it in. I wondered what I would do. 
I was afraid to go out for fear some one would see 
me and thereby excite suspicion. The only light 
I had was from windows with iron bars let in, so it 
was close and I became so excited and warm ; for I 
imagined every minute some one would come and 
get in the door. I looked around and saw hang- 
ing on the wall an old rusty sword, so as quickly 
as I could I climbed up on a stack of wood and got 
it down, and on examination found I could dig wtth 
it, and my next thought was where the hole should 
be. I had selected a place before bringing the gold, 
but was afraid the keen-eyed servant boy might 



114 HOW IT WAS. 

see fresh clay dug up and suspect something, so I 
decided that would not do. There was a long road 
in the center where the boy at different times had 
sawed wood, and I noticed that where the wood- 
horse stood there was a large pile of sawdust. I 
moved it out of the way and commenced to dig my 
hole. It was some time before I got to the hard clay, 
and when I did reach it I thought I would never get 
out enough dirt to make the hole deep enough. 
But I worked and perspired, got out of breath, but 
was afraid to stop to rest, for there was no time to 
lose. I would dig awhile, then grabble the clay 
out with my hands, and by sheer perseverance I 
finally got it sufficiently deep to hold the gold. I 
groaned in agony over my blistered hands. Every 
few minutes would glance at the door and windows 
to see if any one was near, and I believe that if I 
had seen eyes peering through the windows I would 
have dropped on the floor from sheer excitement. 
But the gold was put in, and then I threw the clay 
on top, and with the help of a maul, which I found 
near by, I soon had the dirt mauled and packed in 
tight until it was as firm as the ground. What re- 
maining pieces of clay I saw I gathered up in my 
skirt, threw it carefully behind the wood, piled the 
sawdust up and mauled that, and then got some 
loose dust and scattered it over so it looked as if 



HOW IT WAS. 115 

nothing had disturbed it; then put the wood-horse 
back just over the gold. I made my exit as soon 
as possible, and secretly watched to see if the boy 
who sawed the wood noticed anything amiss in his 
workshop, but he went along as usual with his 
duties, piling up the sawdust over the buried treas- 
ure. When the war closed, it was returned to 
Col. Samuel D. Morgan. I would hesitate to go 
through the same ordeal again, as I almost suffo- 
cated. 



CHAPTER XX. 



THE fighting continued dail}^ and we would 
hear heartrending descriptions of the suffer- 
ings of our brave boys, fathers, and husbands. 
The slaughter was terrible, and often the enemy's 
forces numbered three or four to our one. Look 
at them at the siege of Vicksburg, in the trenches, 
for weeks holding the gunboats at bay ! Look at 
them at Port Hudson and all down the Mississippi, 
having chills and fever until they looked like hick- 
ory leaves and were almost reduced to skeletons ! 
Chills would seize them, followed by burning 
fevers, and they would take quinine without meas- 
uring it, and as soon as the fever would pass off, to 
use their expression, "they would get up and go 
for the Yankees again." Look at Shiloh, Gettys- 
burg, Chickamauga, Franklin, and our brave army 
in Virginia, in all the numerous battles — indeed, 
in fights everywhere I Whole regiments would 
form a solid line, and would be mow^ed down ; and 
in a second almost a solid front would be presented, 
again to share the same fate ; and often there would 
hardly be left enough to form a corporal's guard. 
(116) 



HOW IT WAS. 117 

We would hear from every division in the South of 
deeds of daring and bravery that could not be sur- 
passed, and this accomplished by men with short 
rations and poorly clad. Talk about Washington 
at Valley Forge ? Their sufferings could not surpass 
that borne by our brave boys, half clad and often 
barefooted because shoes could not be procured, 
many times their feet so swollen from weary 
marches and hard leather that they would have to 
wrap them in rags, often leaving traces of blood 
on the snows of Western Virginia ; but in the midst 
of these distresses pressing on to meet the enemy. 
Talk about the Spartans at Thermopylae, the 
charge of the brave six hundred? We had our 
Greeks and brave Scotch Highlanders, or their 
equals, in our dear Confederacy. I often thought, 
when our generals had to contend with such 
overwhelming numbers, that they might have ex- 
claimed in anguish of spirit, as Wellington did at 
Waterloo: '* O for night or Blucher!" But the Fed- 
erals had the world to draw on for their Bluchers, 
but we the lif eblood of our little Confederacy. And 
in thinking of the difference in numbers, you will 
pardon me if I digress for a few minutes and men- 
tion a little fact that struck me so forcibly lately, 
and will carry out my statement in regard to their 
overwhelming forces. From the pension Hst, 



Il8 HOW IT WAS. 

thirty years after the war, we find they are paying 
more persons than we had soldiers in the field. I 
saw the list of enlisted men given a short time 
since, and it was over two milhons, and we had 
six hundred thousand valiant troops from our be- 
loved South, our husbands, sons, and brothers 
fighting for home and dear ones. The Govern- 
ment is paying Federal pensions to the uttermost 
parts of the earth almost — Australia, New Zealand, 
and every country in Europe — for their army was 
made up of recruits from everywhere. Any one 
who would fight for money was sent against us. I 
have done our soldiers great injustice, for instead 
of contending with three to one, they had six and 
eight to one of ours. Was such a thing ever heard 
of in the world's history? and just to think it lasted 
four long years with all our privations and suffer- 
ings, and then not whipped, but had to succumb to 
brute force. I think the United States ought to 
feel proud of the soldiers of the South, and be 
willing to accord them the place of honor in history 
they so richly deserve. We can challenge the 
world, and say: "Show us their equals in honor, 
integrity, bravery, and gallantry shown our women 
under all circumstances." 



CHAPTER XXL 



SERVANTS were hard to get, but we succeeded 
in finding a faithful, good woman, a negro 
from Virginia, who cooked for us, and with our 
faithful servant, Joe, who was invaluable, we got 
on very comfortably. Joe was the quickest, smart- 
est negro I ever saw — always ready and willing for 
any emergency. I had to send him to Augusta 
almost every day, and I was very uneasy, so afraid 
he would be forced to work on the fortifications or 
to move cotton, for they were stacking it in the 
streets preparing to burn it if the enemy came. 
They had tried to get him several times, but he had 
eluded them by some cunning device. It was dif- 
ficult to get hands to work, for they would hide in 
the day, but at night the churches would be 
crowded. They had a revival of rehgion started 
when we first got to Augusta, and it lasted for 
months. One night the officers heard of this meet- 
ing, and made a raid on the male portion, and got 
a good many hands for their work, but Joe jumped 
out of the window and made his escape. The 

next morning he laughed and told me about it, and 

(119) 



I20 HOW IT WAS. 

said he was too smart: they couldn't "ketch" 
him. One day I had occasion to send him to Au- 
gusta for something that was greatly needed, and I 
noticed him before starting working at his arm. 
He had bandaged it up tightly, and was preparing 
to put it in a sHng. I asked him what he was 
doing. He said: "Miss July, my arm is broken, 
and you know I can't work." I was greatly 
amused, and for a week after that, whenever he 
had to go to the city, these same preparations had 
to be made. He always started off with a stick, 
and when an officer came in view he hobbled along, 
leaning on his stick, arm and leg both disabled. 
But one day they got him. He was a fine singer 
and celebrated jig dancer, and cut the pigeon wing 
to perfection, and his great desire to show off to 
his colored friends was the means of his capture. 
He saw a platform in the street, and with his crip- 
pled leg and bandaged arm mounted it and com- 
menced a lively jig, singing in a loud voice, " Carve 
dat 'possum to de heart;" and just as he finished 
and was about to descend with great difficulty the 
officer laid hold of him and said: "I have been 
watching you for several days, and you are a slick 
rascal, but I have got you now and will put you to 
work." He tried to beg off, and told them all his 
white folks were sick and he was their onlv de- 



HOW IT. WAS. 121 

pendence, and he had just come in for the doctor. 
But all his pleading was without avail ; they would 
listen to no excuse, and put him to work to pile 
cotton, and gave him some hands to help him. 
They had to straighten some cotton that was bulg- 
ing out of line and stack it. So he went to work 
very cheerfully, proved a good worker, went all 
down the line and adjusted it, and when this was 
finished, he found a long row of wagons, and he had 
to examine them (a self-imposed task). He would 
crawl under and out again until he got out of sight 
of the cotton, and then he fairly flew home, but it 
was late when he got there. He laughed immod- 
erately when he told us how he had got ahead of 
them again, and I said he would have many sins to 
answer for in the stories he had told, but thought 
if he would not make himself so conspicuous he 
would fare better. I had to keep him at home for 
some time, afraid to send him to town, and it was 
a great deprivation to me, and particularly so to 
him, as he was missing so much fun and I his val- 
uable services, but he bore his imprisonment very 
cheerfully. Capt. Charlie Ewing, of Nashville, 
and several other boys just from the front, came to 
see me at this time and told me there was a great 
revival of religion in the army, and that Dr. John 
B. McFerrin, Bishop Qulntard, and many other 



122 HOW IT WAS. 



preachers of all denominations were taking part in 
the meetings ; that the bishop had confirmed a num- 
ber of the boys, and many of them were greatly 
concerned about their soul's salvation. They said 
Dr. D. C. Kelley, then Col. Kelley, had regular 
prayer meetings, and that Gen. Forrest attended ^ 
them. Col. Kelley was on Gen. Forrest's staff, and 
he had great influence over the general, and when 
he got in a towering rage Col. Kelley could by talk- 
ing to him soothe and quiet him in a few^ minutes. 
He had confidence in his colonel, for he had seen 
him tried many times and knew him to be fearless 
and brave, and he had great admiration for a brave 
man. I was delighted to hear such good news, 
for when the sun would rise in the morning we 
could not tell ere the day closed how many moth- 
ers' darlings would be giving up their lives for the 
land they loved so well. 



CHAPTER XXII. 



MY p'otege, Johnnie Bright, and my httle son 
were greatly annoyed because they did not 
have new clothes, and I had resorted to patch- 
ing to make them presentable. Two nephews 
of the lady whose house we rented had just re- 
turned from school, and had plenty of military 
clothes, consisting of nice jackets and an in- 
numerable number of white linen pants, and my 
boys felt they were sadly neglected, and I fear 
they looked with envious eyes on the cadets' fme 
clothes. I had some of the Confederate gray left, 
and I tol4 Johnnie I would have him a suit made, 
and he was delighted with the idea. I gave him 
the cloth and told him to go to Augusta to a certain 
tailor, have it cut, and get him to furnish the 
trimmings and make it. I had bought him a hat 
and shoes, and he only needed the suit to make 
his wardrobe complete. He went off in a glee, 
for clothing was hard to get then at any price. 
Every day for a week he would go in to see 
how the suit, or rather the making of it, was 

progressing. On Saturday he came home all 

(12:^) 



124 ^^^ ^^ WAS. 

decked in his finery, and O such a sight it was ! 
He had made a full colonel's uniform, with a gen- 
eral's cap and gilt braid, stars and tassels, and to 
sum it all up, I never saw as much tinsel on one uni- 
form in my life. And this was the secret of so many 
•- trips to town, giving directions about the trimmings, 
as I afterward learned. When I saw him, I was so 
convulsed with laughter I could hardly speak for 
some time; and when all joined in the laugh, he 
stood considerably abashed at his reception. It 
\ms some minutes before I could speak to so grand 
a,gentleman, but ventured at last to ask him what 
j/^ his outfit cost. I had given him a large bill to have 
changed to pay the tailor, and he handed me a few 
'*shinplasters," all he had left. He said a piece 
of the goods was left, and he thought it a pity to 
have any of it wasted, so he just had the cap made. 
His conscience began to hurt him some, for he had 
the new hat I had just bought him, and he thought 
an apology necessary. I ventured to ask so august 
a personage what his cap had cost, and he said he 
got it cheap, as trimmings were so high: he got it 
made for $50. Our currency had depreciated 
greatly by this time, and everything was scarce 
and hard to get. Johnnie was not quite fifteen, 
had grown up like a weed, was tall and handsome, 
and we thought he looked elegant in his suit, al- 



HOW IT WAS. 125 

though he had not earned his stars and bars. He 
was now more determined than ever to go to the 
army, and he worried us so much we finally gave a 
reluctant consent. We got him some pins, needles, 
and thread, packed his clothes, fixed him a nice 
lunch, and he bade us an affectionate farewell. 
He went to town, walked around a few hours, and 
began to get a little homesick ; so he came back, 
he said, to spend one more night with the children, 
and he would certainly start in the morning. The 
children were delighted at his return, as they were 
greatly attached to him. I told him to tell his 
father that we were all opposed to his going, and 
he said: "Aunt Julia, you rest easy: I will make it 
all right with pa." The next morning he really 
started, and a few days afterward I got a letter 
from him saying: "A soldier offered me five hun- 
dred dollars for my suit, but I wouldn't take a 
thousand for it." The letter was filled with Latin, 
with the translation above the lines. That was for 
the benefit of the children, for he loved to be 
thought an oracle by them. In his wanderings he 
had gotten a little smattering of Latin, and he used 
it on all occasions. Dear Johnnie, we all loved 
him, and we will never see his like again. We all 
missed him after he left, and had many a merry 
laugh at his expense. He went through the war, 



126 HOW IT WAS. 

and died soon after. I never saw him again, but 
even now I often think of the generous, handsome, 
merry, rolHcking boy. 

Every few days some friendly face from the army 
would slip out to see us for a day and night. Often 
they were sent to the rear on important business. 
One morning we heard there were sixty or seventy 
soldiers (some Tennesseeans) in jail, and were 
to be shot for desertion; for it was deemed neces- 
sary by the officials to make examples of some of 
them to prevent utter demoralization to the whole 
army. I learned that Albert Gentry, son of Hon. 
Meredith P. Gentry, was among the number. Col. 
Gentry was then at Richmond, was a member of 
Congress, and was considered a great orator. I 
had heard from Albert's sister that he had been 
left at home on a farm in Tennessee, and that he 
had slipped off without their knowledge and had 
joined the army. He was only sixteen years old, 
but well grown. His father and sister were friends 
of ours, and we were greatly distressed at hearing 
of the trouble the boy was in, and I determined to 
do all in my power to save him from so sad a fate. 
I decided to go in immediately and see what could 
be done, for ladies could do more than men in 
cases like this. They were like the importunate 
widow: would persevere and take no denial. I 



HOW IT WAS. 127 

went to see the officer who granted permits for per- 
sons to visit the jail, but he persistently refused to 
let any one see them. I returned home very sad 
and dispirited. My husband wrote to Col. Samuel 
D. Morgan and Judge William P. Chilton and 
asked them to do what they could for him. Col. 
Morgan wrote to President Davis to ask his help. 
I went again to Augusta and begged to be permit- 
ted to see my friend's son, but with no better suc- 
cess. I was almost in despair. There was a Gen. 
Roberson from Texas whom I had met in Marietta. 
He had been very kind to Sister Lucy Burt when 
the Federals bombarded their house, and had ren- 
dered them valuable assistance in their flight. He 
was afterward badly wounded — had three ribs 
broken by a cannon ball — and I had been visiting 
him and taking him delicacies. The thought oc- 
curred to me that maybe he might have some influ- 
ence, so I went to him and he gave me some en- 
couragement, and told me to call again the next 
day, and in the meantime he would see what could 
be done, and said he would gladly do all in his 
power to help me. I went home with a lighter 
heart. On applying to him the next day, I found 
he had secured the permit, and after thanking him 
for his kindness and promptness, I hurried to the 
jail. I presented my paper with a good deal of 



128 HOW IT WAS. 

trepidation — for I had worried so much over the 
case I confess I was somewhat nervous — but to my 
surprise, I was promptly admitted. I called for 
Albert Gentry. The guard said he would be down 
in a few minutes, and in the meantime I took a sur- 
vey of his abode. I looked up and saw a good 
many heads and eyes peering through the grated 
bars at me, and such a noise above. They had a 
fiddle, and were playing, singing, dancing, and 
such stamping of feet I never heard. I thought, 
"Poor, young, thoughtless creatures, dancing on 
the brink of eternity," and I felt sick at heart; but 
in a little while the noise ceased, for they soon 
found out a lady was there. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 



IN a short time Albert came in, and I told him. who 
I was. I had never seen him before, but let 
him know that I was a friend of his father and sis- 
ter, and I was greatly distressed at his situation. 
He asked me many questions, and I told him that 
from a recent letter I had heard that his father was 
sick and had left Richmond for some other point 
in Virginia, and his sister had gone home thinking 
he was there. He told me that he had heard noth- 
ing from them in a long time, and had got tired 
and slipped out and joined the army. I asked 
him what he was put in jail for, and he com- 
menced sobbing, and said for desertion, but he 
did not intend to desert. He joined the army to 
fight, but wanted to do so for Tennessee, and did 
not want to be sent to South Carolina. He, boy- 
like, wanted to defend his own State, and he heard 
Forrest's cavalry were going to Tennessee, so he 
left his own command and went to Gen. Forrest, 
and they arrested him. I asked him if he knew 
that they were sentenced to be shot in three or 

four weeks, for a good many others were in jail for 
9 (129) 



130 HOW IT WAS. 

the same thingr. He said he had heard their fate. 
After teUing him I was trying to do all I could for 
him, I arose to leave. He begged me to come to 
see him again, and thanked me for my efforts and 
seemed to appreciate them. All the time I was 
talking, anxious eyes were peeping at me through 
the small windows. I asked Albert if I could do 
anything for him, and he said: "Yes, ma'am; 
please bring me something to eat." The other 
prisoners heard the request, and they yelled out: 
" Bring us some too; and some tobacco." I told 
them that I would remember them ; and such shuf- 
fling and pushing each other aside to see me, and 
impress on me to be sure to bring them something ! 
Poor boys, how sorry I felt for them, such merry, 
rollicking fellows under such circumstances ! I 
stopped in Augusta and told some gentlemen 
friends about the tobacco, and they promised to 
have it ready in the morning. I hurried home, 
started to cooking, and prepared a large bas- 
ket of as man}^ nice things as I could collect. I 
took Joe and started off early the next morning 
with my basket loaded with supplies for the un- 
fortunates, and got the tobacco on my way to the 
jail. When I got there, I called for Albert, and 
told him to take the basket and tobacco and go up 
and distribute the things among the boys. I waited 



HOW IT WAS. 131 

until he came back, and he said that they sent 
many thanks to me for my kindness ; that it was 
the best eating they had had in a long time, and 
they said that when I came again to please remem- 
ber them. I told them I would not forget them. 
I went in for nearly a week, and always carried 
my basket well filled. 

Still no news came from Richmond. The ene- 
my was tearing up the railroads and breaking the 
connection everywhere. The mails were very ir- 
regular, and every two or three days Cousin Sam 
Morgan would write and want to know if anything 
had been done for the boy. In sheer desperation, 
I went to Gen. Roberson and told him he must 
help me. He said that he had worried a good deal 
over the case, and thought that he had found a so- 
lution to it. "At least I hope; but don't be too 
sanguine, for you might»be disappointed. I will 
send a special courier to South Carolina to Gen. 
Johuston and state the case to him, and I think he 
will help us." He sent the messenger, and in a few 
days he came back with the good news that Albert 
was released. I soon had him with us with a leave 
of absence for ten days, and then he was to join 
his command. He had been in prison long enough 
to be very dirty, and his clothes were in a bad 
condition, and he looked pitiful. I looked over 



132 HOW IT WAS. 

and mended what few clothes he had, and supphed 
him with all he needed. Before his time was out 
he looked rested and cheerful; but I watched for 
the day of his return, and I had him all ready, 
clothes packed, a good lunch ready, and told him 
good-bye. 

A little while after he left, his father came — had 
heard of his son's trouble and came to Augusta to 
see about him. I never saw any one more grate- 
ful than he was for saving his son. He wept like 
a child when we told him what we had to contend 
with to get him released. He said that he thought 
his boy was at home on the farm, never having 
heard he had joined the army. 



CHAPTER XXIV. 



WE were being sorely pressed on all sides. 
Every man that could shoulder a musket 
was needed, and all in the jail were let out, I am 
glad to say, without a one being shot. But it gave 
them a good scare that lasted the rest of the war. 
They needed this example, for many of them were 
very much demoralized with the long, tedious 
marches, poor food, and scant clothing. They 
commenced to think they had the world to fight. 
I wonder sometimes that they persevered as long 
as they did without complaining. 

One morning I received a message from a lady 
I had known in Marietta. She and her husband 
had been very kind to us while there. She asked 
me to please come over the river to Hamburg to 
see them. Her husband was very sick, and was 
so anxious to meet me. This place was in South 
Carolina, just across the river from Augusta. I 
went over, and found her husband with a hard 
chill. The bed he was on shook, the rigor was so 
great. They were in extreme poverty, having left 

Marietta when the enemy was near, and were not 

(133) 



134 HOW IT WAS. 

able to bring many of their things with them. 
The fat, jolly man had fallen off until I hardly rec- 
ognized him. His face had turned from a very 
red to a pale color. He had been a generous eat- 
er and drinker, and the vintage had been short in 
South Carolina, and his purse shorter; so, to sum 
it all up, he was in a pitiful condition. I did what 
I could to help them, and then said good-bye. I 
didn't hear anything from or about them in three 
or four weeks. The conscript officers were after 
every man that could fire a gun, and my friend's 
husband was among the recruits taken up. He 
came to Mr. Morgan in great distress, and asked 
him to write a note to Dr. Paul F. Eve, stating his 
inability to do service. He said he knew Dr. Eve 
was his friend, and anything he would write him 
would have its influence. He was very patriotic, 
but he didn't like the smell of gunpowder. My 
husband told him he was not a member of the 
medical board, and he didn't see how he could 
write him a paper of disability. He had a holy 
horror of going into the army if there was any way 
to prevent it, and had his heart set on the note, and 
said: ''Write anything you think will help me, 
and I believe Dr. Eve will release me." Mr. 
Morgan still declined, not knowing what to state; 
but he would take no denial. So the note was 



HOW IT WAS. 135 

written to this effect: *'Z^r. Eve: Having known 
this gentleman and family intimately for eighteen 
months while in Marietta, I think that I can safely 
say that I do not think he is good for anything in 
the world." He read it over, and said: '*0 my 
friend, I will never forget you while I live. I 
thank you most heartily." I think that he was the 
first man I ever knew who thanked another for 
callincr him a fool. Dr. Eve was a man of keen 
perceptions, and saw the joke and enjoyed it im- 
mensely. He gave him a letter of disability, and 
as long as the doctor lived he laughed over this 
funny incident. 



CHAPTER XXV. 



THERE were crowds of sick and wounded sol- 
diers in Augusta, and goingup Green and Broad 
Streets any pleasant day you would see the side- 
walks throncjed with them, o-etting' the fresh air 
and enjoying the sunshine, many looking pale 
and haggard, but cheerful and bright, and if there 
was any fun to be had, they were always ready to 
enjoy it. 

There was a noted belle, of Aucfusta, that could 
be seen frequently on the streets. She had a mag- 
nificent form and graceful carriage, and as she 
came with her stately walk she always attracted 
attention. A friend told me that he was standing 
on the pavement one day as she passed, and he 
noticed a pale, cadaverous, ragged soldier look- 
ing eagerly at her, and saw a merry twinkle in his 
eye. The lady had on a dress with a very long 
train to it, and as she turned the corner she 
looked back, and gave her skirt a slight pull. The 
soldier, still looking intently at her or the train, 
now said: ** Go on, marm, it's a comin'. It's jest 

turnin' the corner." She blushed and hurried on. 
(13fi) 



HOW IT WAS. 137 

Of course there was a hearty laugh, in which my 
friend joined. He said it was ludicrous in the ex- 
treme. They were so full of fun that an occasion 
like that was irresistible. 

Old Cousin Samuel Morgan was restless with 
nothing to do but watch and await coming events ; 
and as he was quite an artist, he conceived the idea 
of carving some pipes and pipestems as souvenirs 
for his children, grandchildren, and friends, to 
while away idle moments. There was a quantity 
of soft, white stone near where he lived, and he 
got this and carved beautiful designs and polished 
them highly, and they were very artistic. He 
made pipes of this stone and carved fishes on them 
that were perfectly executed, and many pipestems 
that had various devices on them. One had a like- 
ness of my husband, with rod in hand, pulling out 
a five-pound trout. There was the man, rod, line, 
and fish, and you could almost imagine the sheen 
on the scales of the fish. They were highly prized 
not only as works of art, but for his sake. I 
mention and describe so minutely for a purpose 
that I will tell later on. 

Our lines were drawing in closer in every direc- 
tion. I was kept so busy with family affairs and 
soldiers coming and going that I didn't get to the 
hospital as often as I had formerly done. It was 



138 HOW IT WAS. 

a great deprivation, for in going I often found 
many that I knew. Letters were written by me, 
as on former occasions, to loved ones at home, 
bearing messages from dying boys to their 
mothers and sisters. I have letters now in re- 
sponse to some of these, full of anguish and sor- 
row ; but such were the cruel issues of the war. 

The women of the South were as brave as the 
men, and there was no menial office that they 
would not perform if it was to alleviate suffering. 
My husband was still at home with the Minie 
ball in his side, and at times suffered agony with 
it. He consulted several surgeons in regard to 
his joining his command, and they told him that if 
he rode horseback he would run the risk of being 
paralyzed. 

The enemy was advancing rapidly, and every- 
thing was at fever heat. News came that Gen. 
Sherman was coming, like the Duke de Alva in the 
Netherlands, with torch and sword, burning as he 
came, for he was having a triumphant march, gain- 
ing great victories over helpless women and chil- 
dren, for our forces were scattered in every direc- 
tion. Gen. Hood in Tennessee, Gen. Joe Johnston 
in the Carolinas, Gen. Lee's army in Virginia, and 
our cavalry trying to fight the enemy everywhere. 
The Federals had such overwhelming forces that 



HOW IT WAS. 139 

our fatigued and broken-down soldiers could not 
defend all the weak points, and they were contend- 
ing for every foot of ground, and whenever they 
could make a stand they would fight. Sherman 
advanced to attack Augusta, and every man that 
could shoulder a musket was urged to help defend 
the place. Mr. Morgan was restless, and he said 
at last that he would take the chances and go. 
Col. Stoner, of John H. Morgan's command, got 
him a good horse, and Drs. Joe and Charlie Tid- 
ings, surgeons of the same command, promised 
me that if he was killed or wounded they would 
look after him especially. Joe brought "Dixie" 
out, and after telling us good-bye, he mounted, and 
in a few minutes was lost to our view. That was as 
dark a day as I spent during the war. Hope 
seemed all gone for a few hours, for when I 
thought of the sacrifices made by our people, and 
the privations they endured, I wondered how they 
could be unrewarded. The soldiers still hoped 
that something would happen to turn the tide of 
battle in our favor. They were the last ones to 
give up, and "Onward! " was their cry. There 
was severe fighting going on fifteen or twenty 
miles from Augusta, in South Carolina. 

The next bulletin announced that Gen. Sherman 
had burned Columbia, S. C, and that many per- 



140 HOW IT WAS. 

sons had perished in the flames. And news fol- 
lowed this speedily that the Federals were in sight 
of Augusta, and that they were burning everything 
in their reach. You could hear anything and ev- 
erything that was horrible. Alas! much that we 
heard was too true, and we looked upon Gen. 
Sherman as a monster in human shape ; and now 
that the grave has closed over him he will have a 
big account to settle for his treatment of the South 
in her last struo-p-les. 

The next morning after my husband left, some 
one came in and told me that they saw my little 
son running in the direction of Augusta with his 
gun on his shoulder. He said that he Vv^as going 
in the trenches to help defend Augusta. Fortifi- 
cations were being thrown up, and every prepara- 
tion was being made to save the place, and every 
man and boy was eager to help. There was a 
crowd going in to report for duty. I called Joe 
and told him to run as fast as his feet could carry 
him, and bring my little son back before he was lost 
in the mass of men. I was so excited I walked the 
yard, straining my eyes in the direction of the city. 
He was gone two hours, and it seemed an intermi- 
nable time before I saw Joe coming with him. He 
said that he had hunted a long time, and finally saw 
him, and had to force him to come, by telling him 



HOW IT WAS. 141 

that he would take him in his arms and carry him 
whether or not. This would have been a terrible 
insult to a soldier, so he followed Joe home very 
reluctantly. I took his gun and told him not to 
touch it again without my consent, and if he did 
I would break it all to pieces, for he might have had 
his head blown off and no one would have known 
whose child he was in that great crowd. He sav/ 
from the mood I was in that I was prepared to do 
what he would have thought the greatest calamity 
of his life, for he prized his gun more than any- 
thing he possessed. My threat had the desired ef- 
fect, for he stayed at home closely after this. 

I had heard no news from Mr. Morgan, and I 
felt restless and miserable all the time. There was 
rumor of a fight, and many were supposed killed 
and wounded, but we had no way of learning the 
real truth. One night about 10 o'clock I heard 
the rattle of wheels, and then a vehicle stopped at 
my front door. I took a light and ran out and saw 
Drs. Joe and Charlie Tidings. I said: ''Where 
is Mr. Morgan?" They replied: ''In the ambu- 
lance." They told me not to be alarmed, he was 
hurt, but they hoped not seriously, and then lifted 
him out carefully and brought him in the house. 
They then told me that twenty miles from Augus- 
ta they had met a large force of Gen. Sherman's 



,142 HOW IT WAS. 

cavalry, and as they were making a double-quick 
charge Mr. Morgan's horse got his leg in a 
sand hole. The horse fell on him and nearly 
killed him, and but for the prompt assistance of 
his friends, who jumped down and lifted the horse 
off, he would have been dead in a little while. 
They got him to the rear as soon as possible. He 
had a violent contusion of the hip, and was badly 
bruised all over; but if he had no internal injuries, 
they thought that he would pull through all right. 
They remarked: "It is God's providence that 
he wasn't killed, for where he fell eighty were 
killed and wounded." They remained all night, 
examined him in the morning, and gave me ex- 
plicit directions what to do for him, and bade us 
good-bye. That was the last that I ever saw of 
those two good men, but I will always feel grate- 
ful to them for their kindness to me and mine dur- 
ing the war. Mr. Morgan was confined to his bed 
for some time, and when he did get up he had to 
use crutches for many months. 

Not many days after this we got a letter from 
Col. Sam Morgan, saying that the enemy was 
near Blackwell, S. C. He was living there with 
his daughter, having gone there when Sherman 
took Marietta. He said that he would send all of 
his family to our house, and for me to do the best 



HOW IT WAS. 143 

that I could with them. I went to the car at the 
stated time of arrival with my carriage at their 
service; but after consultation with his daughter, 
found that room could not be made for all, for 
my family was large and so was theirs, and our 
rooms were limited. So they decided that it 
was best to remain in the car until further ar- 
rangements could be made. I took his four 
granddaughters out with me, and left the others 
in the car. They soon decided to go up to Mad- 
ison, Ga. I kept the four girls for awhile, and 
two days after two nieces of my husband ran over 
from Montgomery to spend a few days, not dream- 
ing of the disasters that were so soon to come upon 
us. I had now my old kinsman's four grand- 
daughters, four nieces (two of them lived with us), 
and my two daughters — ten girls — and a merrier, 
jollier crowd never got together. They did not 
brood over troubles like the old people, and I was 
glad to see them so happy. Now how they were 
to sleep was the next question, and they told me to 
leave it all to them and they would arrange it. 

The Montgomery girls left in a short time, fear- 
ing they might be cut off from their home. The 
girls told me that they were compelled to have 
some clothes laundered. I sent all around to hire 
a washerwoman, as my servant was sick, and I 



144 HOW IT 'WAS. 

was afraid for her to undertake it; but no negro 
could be got for love or money, as they were all 
too much excited looking for the Yankees. The 
girls were in a sad dilemma, and none of them 
had ever tried the washtub. They had a long 
consultation, and came to the conclusion that if 
Joe would bring the water and set the kettle to 
boihng, they would roll up their sleeves and play 
the Biddies. So Joe very promptly had the pot 
boiling, adjusted the tubs and washboards, and 
such scrubbing, laughing, and chattering you 
have not heard in some time. They made a regu- 
lar frolic of it, and every now and then they would 
call on Joe for more water or some other service. 
He danced attendance on them through it all. It 
was a ludicrous sight. I have laughed over it many 
times. They finally got through the first and last 
washing they ever did in their lives, and they all 
joined in and soon had the clothes ironed. All 
pronounced it a success, but it left blisters on 
their hands. I may not get the dates of certain 
events just at the right time, for in thirty years 
I have forgotten many things that transpired. In 
a short time the girls went to Madison, to their 
grandfather, and mine returned to Eatonton to 
school. 

One morning the news came that Gen. Lee had 



HOW IT WAS. 145 

surrendered, and the next day it was confirmed. 
We both wept hke children. The next news was 
that Gen. Sherman had taken Augusta, and he 
had sent a detachment of soldiers to the Sand Hills 
to take possession of the arsenal near us. In the 
course of the day I heard a noise, and on looking 
out, saw sure enough a long line of blue coats, 
drums beating, banners waving, negroes running, 
shouting, yelling, looking like lunatics just es- 
caped from the asylum. Among the number, my 
cook ran by me, with her white apron tied to the 
end of a broomstick, shouting and cheering at the 
highest pitch of her voice, jumped the fence, and 
was gone. Joe walked out into the yard with the 
children, and said: *' I am so mad with them 
fool niggers. If they are free, they are free, but 
not to make fools of themselves." He said: 
** Now, if you please, look at the poor, white trash 
them niggers is running after. If they was in the 
gutters they wouldn't pick them up, unless they 
wanted them to fight for them. I tell you now 
they won't get dis nigger. And I thank God I 
know who my friends are." I agreed with him, 
that he had some sense and reason, and the 
other poor, silly creatures did not know what 
they were doing. I told him that he was my only 

dependence, and he must stay and cook sup- 
10 



146 HOW IT WAS. 

per for us. He readily consented, and went to 
work as if nothing had happened. 

After dark, Ceha, my cook, came back, utterly 
exhausted and said that she was tired almost to 
death, but still she went to work to pack up her 
clothes. I went to her room and asked her what 
she intended to do. She said: ''I am packing up 
all my things, for I am going to start to Virginny 
to-morrow, to see my children." I told her that I 
did not blame her for wanting to find her children, 
but if she started she would have to walk most of 
the way, as the railroads were torn up in every 
direction. I liked the negro, she had been faith- 
ful and trustworthy, and I told her that if she 
would wait until I went to Nashville I would pay 
her way to Richmond. She looked undecided, 
and I said: " Don't you believe me? Did I ever 
tell you anything but the truth?" She said: 
*' No, ma'am, but, missus, is I free?" I told her 
yes, to put her clothes away and behave herself. 
I did not want to see her start and maybe die in a 
fence corner by herself. She seemed perfectly 
satisfied. But in a few days was taken quite sick 
from the effects of the tramp after her deliverers. 
She grew worse, and I sent to Augusta for Dr. 
Joseph Eve, and he pronounced her very ill. She 
had been a delicate negro before this, and the 



HOW IT WAS. 147 

present excitement added fuel to the fire, and in a 
few days after, we found that she would not re- 
cover. By the time I got through with doctors' 
bills and funeral expenses, I found I had paid out 
many dollars in gold for the poor, simple creature. 

I now had to depend on Joe for everything — we 
made him both maid and waiting boy, and he 
proved competent and willing, for faithfully he 
performed his part. 

The next morning the children came running in, 
and, said: "Papa, papa! A whole lot of Yan- 
kees are conqing up the front walk." And they 
all began crying and begging him not to go out, 
for they thought his time had come to be captured. 
He told them that he would go out to meet them, 
for he could not help himself. So he started, fol- 
lowed by the children and myself. He walked 
down a short distance in advance, and I heard 
him say: " Why, howdy, boys? We thought you 
were Yankees coming to arrest me." 

The party consisted of Gen. Basil Duke, Dr. 
Robert Williams, a son-in-law of cousin Sam Mor- 
gan, Charlton, Richard, Calvin, and Key Morgan. 
These were all the Lexington Morgans left, as 
John H. Morgan and Thomas, his brother, had 
been killed some time before this. There was 
quite a large party of them, including servants. 



148 HOW it WAS. 

The latter had on bhie clothes, and the children 
had mistaken them for Federals. They said: 
" We have just left President Davis. We cut 
across the country and made for your house, and 
we want to stay here until we can send to Augusta 
and see what Gen. Sherman's terms of surrender 
will be. If favorable, we will have to take the 
oath and go home ; if not, we will get on our 
horses, and try to cross the Mississippi River, then 
into Texas and Mexico." After consultation it 
was agreed that Dr. Williams should go in to see 
the Federal authorities. In the meantime I was 
running back and forth trying to find them some- 
thing to eat. 

The servants fed the horses, and then I pressed 
them into service, and with Joe to help, we soon 
had dinner ready for them. I had strong coffee 
and tea made, and when it was all ready they 
sat down and did full justice to it. Then the 
pipes were called for. We had enough to- 
bacco, but not enough pipes and stems to go 
around, so we called Joe, and submitted the case 
to him, and he said that in a little while he could 
fix some cob pipes. He had some stems. He came 
back in a short time with those he had made, but 
still they lacked some, so Mr. Morgan called on 
me for my beautifully carved stems and pipes. I 



HOW IT WAS. 149 

gave them up rather reluctantly, as I had set my 
heart on keeping them as specimens of art, but I 
soon gladdened the hearts of those who were anx- 
ious to smoke. They were all restless, and all 
were looking eagerly for Dr. Williams's return, but 
he did not get back till late in the afternoon, and 
brought the good news that the terms were honor- 
able. In a short time their horses were saddled, 
and I brought out their treasures I had in safe- 
keeping for them for some time. They consisted 
of watches and other gold trinkets, and bars of 
silver they had gotten in Richmond when paid off 
as soldiers. They went to Augusta, took the 
oath, and then started for their homes. 

I have the stems and pipes with the nicotine in 
them from the smoking they did that memorable 
day of agony, and they have never been used 
since. 

By this time the Federals were all over the 
country, and we learned that when Marietta was 
burned, our home there was untouched, as the 
general in command took it for headquarters, and 
had a flag stretched across the front of the house, 
and I suppose that saved it. We did not care to 
stop in Marietta. Our hearts were yearning for 
home and loved ones, and "Onward to Nash- 
ville ! " was the cry. 



150 HOW IT WAS. 

Mr. Morgan went in advance of us to see what 
arrangements he could make for taking us home, 
and in a Httle while he wrote to my nephew to 
bring us on. We soon had everything in readi- 
ness, and bade our Georgia friends farewell with 
sad hearts, for they had greatly endeared them- 
selves to us by their kindness during our sojourn 
with them. 

We started, going by Madison, where we were 
joined by Cousin Sam Morgan and family, also 
our girls, who had come over from Eatonton to 
meet us on our way to Nashville, and among 
others who composed the party were John H. 
Morgan's widow and little daughter and Miss 
Alice Ready. While passing up the road we saw 
signs of Gen. Sherman's work; he did it well and 
thoroughly. It had been raining a great deal, and 
on the clay hills were many tents filled with 
women and children, with mud and slush all 
around, and heaps of ashes, and smokeless chim- 
neys standing as lone sentinels in the devastated 
and waste places. Many Confederate soldiers 
were wending their way home on foot to take up 
the thread of life. They were ragged, tired, 
weary, and sore-footed, with the glint still in their 
eyes. In looking at them, I thought of a little 
verse I had seen in early life. 



HOW IT WAS. 151 

I see a man ; 
I do not see his shabby dress, 
I see him in his manliness, 
I see his ax, I see his spade, 
I see a man that God has made. 
If such a man before you stand. 
Give him your heart, give him your hand, 
And praise your Maker for sucli men. 
They make this old world young again. 

I felt like giving each one my hand and bidding 
them "Godspeed." All needed the ax and 
spade when they did get home to build up demol- 
ished houses; and, Phoenix-like, they rose from 
their ashes, built up their homes, planted crops, 
and have given many millions to educate white and 
colored, and are paying a greater part of the pen- 
sions to Union soldiers. They are, in short, aston- 
ishing the world, all going to show that the Scotch, 
Irish, Huguenot, and Cavalier blood cannot be 
kept down. If Gen. Sherman's idea had been car- 
ried out, which was, as fast as we were turned out 
of our homes, to bring in those from the North and 
colonize, we would now have been no better than 
Russian serfs; but the old man made suggestions 
and nursed his wrath to keep it warm. Another 
one of his ideas was to give the negroes the torch 
and sword and let them burn and slay as they chose, 
but the enlightened nineteenth century would never 



152 HOW IT^ WAS. 

have submitted to the warfare of the Dark Ages on 
this American Continent. If he had a kind word 
to say, or one of encouragement to his fallen 
brother, no one ever heard it. How different with 
heroic Gen. Grant! He had the elements of a 
brave man and a heart that could feel for the in- 
firmities of others. Look at him at Appomattox 
Courthouse when Gen. Lee surrendered! Behold 
the two men ! Gen. Lee stately, upright, stand- 
ing in his physical beauty, and on looking at him 
Gen. Grant doubtless felt he was in the presence 
of his peer, *'a foeman worthy of his steel.'' Gen. 
Lee, conscious of dignity, rectitude, gallantry, 
chivalry, and a pure Christian character, stood and 
faced his conqueror. Did Gen. Grant show any 
exultation over his fallen foe? No, he was too 
masfnanimous for that. I have been told that a 
casual observer could not have decided who was the 
victor or the vanquished from their faces, as both 
looked sad. Gen. Grant, as he conceived in line 
of duty to impose such humiliation on so brave and 
great a man, doubtless felt sad. Gen. Lee, feeling 
he had struggled with his brave army as few men 
ever did, by having to contend with privations 
and hardships almost unheard of, overwhelming 
numbers, and after having done all that a man 
could do in fighting for what he conceived.to be a 



HOW IT WAS. 153 

just and righteous cause, to have to succumb. He 
felt almost crushed and broken-hearted, but did he 
give up the battle of hfe ? Not he ! He went to 
work again and died in the harness. I believe 
that history will give him the place of the greatest 
and best man that ever trod this American Conti- 
nent. What did Gen. Grant do? He spoke kind 
words to his vanquished brother and tried to heal 
dissensions, and his last plea in life was for peace. 
We cannot but feel pleasure in contemplating such 
a man. I have often tried to imagine the return of 
our valiant soldiers to their homes after an absence 
of four years. When they left them peace and 
plenty reigned; farms with cattle on every hilltop, 
and in valleys long rows of cabins filled with hap- 
py inmates, and everything to make the heart glad. 
But now desolation seemed to reign. Homes 
burned, cattle gone, forests cut down, fences torn 
down, and negroes freed. Nothing left but help- 
less wife and children, and some of the poor fel- 
lows with legs, and some with arms gone, and 
many almost shot to pieces ; the same proud spirit 
with the will to work, but physically disabled. 

Did you ever hear one say that he was ashamed 
ofhiswounds? No. Napoleon's *' Legion of Hon- 
or ' ' were never prouder of their scars than were these 
old veterans; and their faces would light up when 



154 ^ow ^'^ WAS. 

they would give the accounts of the battles where 
they were maimed and mutilated for life. We 
have heard of a very fev/ truckling, pusillanimous 
spirits that have gone North, and for filthy lucre's 
sake have sold their manhood, and have said 
that they were ashamed of the part that they had 
taken in our struggle. All the harm that I wish 
them is that they will never pollute the soil of our 
"Sunny South " with their unhallowed feet. And 
I know that brave Northern soldiers can have only 
contempt for such craven spirits. 

Ought we of the South ever to see one of her brave 
veterans suffer ? It would be a shame and a blot on 
the escutcheons of our fair land to permit it. Al- 
though many years have passed, and very Itttle has 
been done, everything points to the time when they 
will be cared for. Look at the efforts of our few 
noble women in securing the Confederate Home. 
They commenced with very little encouragement, 
and have plodded patiently and perseveringly until 
I am rejoiced to say that their untiring efforts are 
being crowned with success. God bless them in 
their holy undertaking ! and may their efforts stim- 
ulate our men that fortune has smiled upon since the 
war, and impel them to take some of their hun- 
dreds of thousands, and even millions, and make 
the old veterans' hearts glad ! Many of them are 



HOW IT WAS. 155 

going down the other side of the hill, and are 
weary and worn, straggling with penury and want. 
If I had the power, I would pension every one of 
them, and not give it as doHng out charity, but let 
them feel that they had earned it and had a right 
to it. Go on, grand women of the South, in your 
hallowed work, and don't give up until your end is 
accomphshed. Our men are too chivalrous not to 
give aid when they see the efforts of their mothers, 
sisters, and wives trying to do what duty ought to 
impel them to perform. When your noble work 
has been carried through, and after '* life's fitful 
dream is o'er," take your children and spread flow- 
ers over their graves, and never let them forget the 
brave heroes that sleep their last sleep in the land 
they loved so well as to lay down their lives de- 
fending it. So impress it on their young minds 
that when we go to give an account of our steward- 
ship the story shall be repeated to the children, 
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, so that 
"Old Mortality" shall not have to come along to 
scrape off the moss and mold to read the inscrip- 
tion on the tombstones that mark the resting place 
of our noble dead. 



CHAPTER XXVI. 



AS we passed through Marietta I looked to see 
the homes of friends who had shown us so 
many dehcate attentions, and had been so good 
nursing our brave boys. But there, too, the work 
of Gen. Sherman was well done, as there was noth- 
ing left in many cases but heaps of bricks and ashes. 
We got to Chattanooga, and such a desolate, 
dreary-looking place it was, for it had been rain- 
ing, and the red clay was shoe deep. It had been 
the center and distributing point for the Federals, 
and crowds of troops were still th^re, besides thou- 
sands who had taken up temporary abodes. My 
nephew was trying to get our baggage. The 
children were worn out and crying, but we all 
started to walk to the hotel, which was a short dis- 
tance off. Joe headed the procession with two of 
the children in his arms; the rest of us, plunging 
along, would slip in mudholes, and such scrambling 
as we would have to keep from falling ; and to add 
to the trouble, it was one of the darkest, gloomiest 
nights that I ever saw, and the depot and surround- 
ings were poorly lighted. We finally reached the 

(i5rPi 



HOW IT WAS. 157 

hotel, bedraggled and weary, and went to our 
rooms, were we ate our lunch from a basket that 
I had brought with us. 

After being much refreshed from our night's 
rest, we started the next morning for Nashville. 
My baby and the next one were especially devoted 
to Joe, and wanted him with them all the time. 
He amused them continually, and I told him to 
stay in sight, so if I wanted anything I could call 
him, and he promised to do so. The cars were 
filled with Federal soldiers, walking up and down 
and watching every movement. They spied Joe 
standing by the children and ordered him out, and 
when the children saw him start, they began to 
yell and scream, and would not be pacified for 
some time. I told the soldiers that I had tried to 
get a maid, but did not succeed, and that Joe was 
almost indispensable to me, for the little ones were 
attached to him, and they were very tired, and I 
needed him to help me. Several of the Federals 
came and sat down near the children and be- 
gan to talk to them. The train stopped for a 
few minutes, and the children spied some black- 
berries, and turned and said: ''Lankees, get me 
some berries." And before I had hardly heard 
their request, two of them stepped off and got 
a handful. In the meantime the cunning Joe was 



158 HOW IT WAS. 

watching an opportunity to get back, and in a lit- 
tle while he walked in with a bucket of water, 
which he politely handed to the ladies first, and 
then to the soldiers, and then he said something to 
the children and started to go out, as he found that 
they were watching him so closely. They 
screamed at him, and said: " Joe, come back and 
look at them Lankees." They were so intent in 
watching the "bluecoats" that they got all around 
them to laughing. Many of the passengers were 
refugees returning home. Many of them had left 
dear ones behind under the sod. They were de- 
pressed and tired with delays, so the children, Joe, 
and "the Lankees" helped to relieve the monoto- 
ny, and Joe, by his kind attentions to all, was al- 
lowed to come back to his pets. 

We finally reached Nashville, and I went to my 
sister's and stayed until we could get possession of 
our house. Then I learned of the many changes 
that had taken place in the four years. Many 
were in deep mourning for dear ones killed in the 
numerous battles fought. Many of the old citizens 
had passed away, while others had spent months 
in the prisons for not taking the oath, and large 
sums of money had been extorted from the citizens 
to support idle negroes and poor white people who 
had followed the Federals here. 



HOW IT WAS. 159 

I had received very few letters, and those unsat- 
isfactory, while away, as all had to be submitted 
to the military authorities for inspection. I learned 
that the old Academy, my dear Alma Mater, 
had been stripped of everything, and my mind re- 
verted to my childhood and to the eight happy 
years that I had spent there; to the cabinet of 
curiosities, containing shells from all parts of the 
world, and many rare specimens of art; to the 
immense library, and the numbers of pianos. All 
these accumulations of years were packed up and 
sent North to enrich some Yankee officers' families. 
The old empty house was left standing as a monu- 
ment of one of the largest and most successful fe- 
male schools in the South, and Dr. C. D. Elliot, 
as Principal, was much beloved, and was consid- 
ered a prince of educators. 

A friend moved into our house and kept it from 
being turned into a Federal hospital. We had to 
pay a large sum of money before we got our 
house released from the Freedman's Bureau, and 
thanks to our old servants, found most of our fur- 
niture scattered around among different friends, 
where they had placed it for safe-keeping before 
going to Washington. 

After we had been home several days, a number 
of the girls' friends came to see them. They 



l6o HOW IT WAS. 

were upstairs having a jolly time, all talking at 
once, when the doorbell rang. I went to open it, 
and there stood eight or ten Federal soldiers 
on the porch. I began to tremble, and was 
greatly startled, and thought: "What have I said 
that could have been reported to them, and ma}^- 
be cause my arrest?" For from the time of my 
arrival I had tried to be very prudent in expressing 
myself, and felt all the time that I was almost in 
purgatory. Down South we had had full scope, 
and now that we were almost too full for utterance 
we had to bridle our tongues, and it was a great 
deprivation. We were advised that if we did talk, 
to close our doors and watch the keyholes. Well, 
there I was, confronting all those soldiers. I at 
last ventured to ask what they wanted. They were 
so engaged looking up at the pretty girls (for by 
this time every window was filled with heads, eager 
to see what was the matter) that they scarcely no- 
ticed me. I waved my hand to the young folks, 
and they immediately left, and then I got the sol- 
diers' attention and asked them again what they 
would have. They all seemed in great glee, and 
said that they had been in the army a great while 
and had been paid off to go home, but hated to go 
back without seeing something of the ladies of the 
South, and they wanted me to board them for two 



HOW IT WAS. l6l 

or three weeks, and said that they would pay me 
well. You can imagine my disgust, in the frame 
of mind that I was in then, but I had to present a 
smiling face and tell them that it was impossible, 
as I had a very large family, and that all of my 
rooms were full; but they still insisted. I told 
them that there were many hotels and boarding 
houses, but they seemed determined to force 
themselves on us. While they talked I scanned 
them closely, and saw that they were dressed very 
conspicuously and had on a good deal of ** pinch- 
back " jewelry. They were very anxious to make 
an impression, and I wanted so badly to tell them 
my opinion of them, and I was really afraid that 
they would force themselves on us anyway; but 
they finally left, though they seemed greatly disap- 
pointed, and not in a good humor. 

Almost every night murders were committed, 
and we on the east side were almost afraid to leave 
our homes after dark. On the bridge and down 
the avenue many were assaulted and robbed; and 
it behooved all the Rebels to be very quiet, as 
Nashville was still full of troops, and none of us 
felt very safe. One day we heard that Gen. 
Joseph Wheeler had been knocked down and bad- 
ly beaten the night before for no other reason than 

that he had been an *' accursed Rebel general." 
11 



1 62 HOW IT WAS. 

Mr. Morgan was furious, for he was much at- 
tached to Gen. Wheeler, as were all of his com- 
mand. No notice had been taken of the cowardly 
assault by the authorities, so we determined to try 
to find out the truth. After hunting nearly all the 
morning, we heard that he was at a house on High 
Street. So we went and rang the bell, and a lady 
answered. We asked if Gen. Wheeler was there, 
and she said: "Yes; in a room upstairs." We 
found him in bed and badly bruised and beaten. 
He said that he had had no warning of any danger, 
and that before he knew it he was on the ground, 
and a burly soldier pounding him, and he a small 
man and totally unarmed, not prepared in anyway 
to defend himself. He told us that only a few had 
been to see him. To tell the whole truth, people 
at that time did not know what to do or how to 
act. We expressed great sympathy to our noble 
friend, stayed with him some time, and were very 
sorry that we were unable to give the ruffian his 
deserts. 

Many long months passed, fraught with bitter- 
ness and uneasiness. The people of the South 
felt that they were overcome but not conquered, 
and many a bitter pill they had to swallow, submit- 
ting to the inevitable. 

The last time that I ever saw our brave hero, 



now IT WAS. 163 

Gen. Forrest — a little while before his death — was 
at a large barbecue given by my husband. He was 
faint and weak then, and had to be supported on 
the grounds, but was anxious to meet many of his * 
old comrades for the last time on earth. Since 
then many more have gone over the river, where 
they rest under the shade of the tree of life. The 
great reunion will come some day, when the long- 
parted will meet, and the sword of the Christian 
warfare will be laid down, and eternal rest will be 
theirs. 

The faithful Joe of our war experience is still 
with us, having been with us almost constantly 
during and since the war. Not long since we 
had his likeness taken, that each child and grand- 
child should have one of our faithful old friend. 
He often relates thrilling episodes of his experience 
during the rebellion, and still clings to his " white 
folks." 

We are now old and gray-headed, and we sit by 
the fire and tell our children and grandchildren of 
the deeds of daring heroism and bravery of our 
dear soldiers who sleep on many a hilltop and val- 
ley. They died defending a cause that they felt 
to be just. I teach the children to hate war and 
all its horrors, and to love peace ; but to always love 
and reverence the memory of our brave soldiers. 



164 HOW IT WAS. 

and when all prejudices and animosities shall have 
been buried our heroes' stars will blazen forth in 
the galaxy of fame with a brightness and efful- 
gence that may have been equaled, but never sur- 
passed in the world's history. 



LETTERS. 



[These are a few of the many letters we received during the 
war. They are given to show how we commenced arming our 
soldiers for the four years' fight. Many of our guns, made to 
carry Minie balls, were manufactured at our little gun factory 
in Nashville.] 

Montgomery, May i8, 1862. 

To Hon. L. P. Walker, Secretary of War. 

Dear Sir: I am satisfied of your disposition to 
comply with Tennessee's request, so far as it is 
consistent to do so under the circumstances. 

In view of the patent facts, both of the scarcity 
and pressure for arms, I have conceived the idea 
of converting all the rifles in Tennessee of sufficient 
weight into as nearly as possible a uniform length 
and uniform caliber, and adopting for their use the 
Minie ball. This use of the Minie ball explains 
all of the difference between the effectiveness of 
modern rifles and the Tennessee or Kentucky gun. 
By this scheme I am fully warranted in saying that 
all our deficiencies may be supplied. 

What d.o you think of it? I am ready and will- 
ing to be devoted to its accomplishment. 

Awaiting your answer, I am your obedient serv- 
ant, Irby Morgan. 

(165) 



1 66 how it was. 

Montgomery, 14, 1861. 

To Hon. L. P. Walker. 

Dear Sir : The inclosed letters will explain the 
nature of my business with you. Tennessee is 
without arms, and has no other hope of getting 
them than out of the abundance represented to be in 
the possession of the Confederate Government. 
By the late act of the Tennessee Legislature it was 
determined to raise fifty-five thousand troops, 
twenty-five thousand to be at once under the con- 
trol of the Confederate Government, and the bal- 
ance, thirty thousand, to be held as reserve for 
contingencies. .There is no mistake about the 
raising of the required number, or one hundred 
thousand, if necessary, but we have no arms to 
place in the hands of this gallant host of Rebels, 
and the question arises where shall the supply come 
from? It is in my judgment of the very highest 
possible importance that a wise, timely, prompt, 
liberal, confiding line of policy be adopted toward 
that people, not that they are likely to backslide 
from this position, which has been a source of so 
much rejoicing to us all, by no means, but that 
she may realize for herself in the hour of her need 
the fact that your foresight had prepared you for 
every event, controlled by human agency, and that 
you are ready and willing to fulfill your promises to 
her. 



LETTERS. 167 

To have undertaken this great revolution unpre- 
pared, unadvised, and without a comprehensive 
view of the whole ground was to have been guilty 
of great folly, and it is at this particular juncture 
of equal importance, with reference to moral 
effect, that Tennessee's estimate of this great 
movement shall suffer no injury at your hands. 

If I could possibly have an interview with you, I 
could give you many good reasons, not properly 
to be undertaken by letter. I am expected to 
telegraph the substance of the result of my confer- 
ence with you on this subject, to headquarters, at 
Nashville, during to-day. Any communication 
you may be pleased to address me will reach me 
at once at the office of Messrs. Chilton & Yancey. 

Awaiting your reply, I am your obedient serv- 
ant, Irby Morgan. 

Nashville, May 7, 1861. 

To Hon. W. P. Chilton, Montgomery. 

Mr. Irby Morgan, who is just starting to Louis- 
ville, Ky., on public business, requested me to en- 
close to you these caps as the first make 
of Nashville. They are making milHons now of 
the same sort. Mr. M. bought the copper in Or- 
leans, and other fixings, and says please attend to 
his request per his express to you from Orleans. 

Respectfully yours, CD. Sanders. 



l68 HOW IT WAS. 

Nashville, May 4, 1861. 

Dear Irhy : Since writing you to-day, suggesting 
the removal of the Harper's Ferry machinery to 
Nashville, it has occurred to me that if the scheme 
meets favor at the hands of President Davis, that 
in order to have it here in the quickest possible 
time, that if you could do so consistently, that you 
might tender your services, go at once to Gov. 
Seldon with the proper credentials, and get his 
consent for its removal out of reach of accident. 
If Richmond should be taken — and that is highly 
probable, or, at least, the attempt probable — the 
first act of the invaders would be to destroy every 
machine or tool with which arms could be made. 
If this would not be done, Lincoln would show a 
great want of judgment in conducting the war. 

Yours, S. D. Morgan. 



Nashville, May 13, 1861. 

To Irby Morgan, Esq., care of Hon. W. P. Chilton, Montgomery, 
Ala. 

Dear Sir : Since writing you yesterday, I have 
received by express, without any advices, an En- 
field rifle, which, I presume, has been sent me by 
Judge Chilton. It is the most superior arm for a 
soldier I have ever seen. I do not think it can 
be improved. It is simple, strong, and light. I 



LETTERS. 169 

can have them made here just as good as the sam- 
ple, and I can find all the material necessary right 
in our own city. Every piece of machinery neces- 
sary can be contracted for here also, as well as at 
any other place in the world, and, if need be, I can 
certainly get as many workmen from England as I 
want, or even from Yankeedom. 

I will send you samples of our caps by express 
to-day. 

In haste, __ S. D. Morgan. 

Night of April 24, 1861. 

To Irby Morgan. 

Dear Irby: In the hurry of business, I forgot 
this evening to ask you to whose care I should ad- 
dress any communications to you whilst in New 
Orleans, Bear in mind, I shall address you, if 
need be, to the care of Perkins & Co. Perkins is 
full of zeal and energy, and will make you an able 
adjunct in your purchases, and, if need be, have 
your checks cashed by the banks (and which, by 
the way, they should do at par, as we are prepar- 
ing to defend Louisiana and New Orleans more 
than ourselves). 

I think you should see the Governor even if you 
have to go to Baton Rouge, for he certainly must 
have to sfare some munitions or arms for the pur- 
pose we want them. We shall be forced, if possi- 



170 HOW IT .WAS. 

ble, to dislodge the troops from Cairo. To do this 
we should have more arms and ammunition, and 
especially some field artillery, which, it seems to 
me, will not be as valuable to Louisiana as to Ten- 
nessee. Perkins can attend to forwarding by rail- 
road anything you may purchase. See if good 
blankets can be had, the number, etc., and tele- 
graph me, as we may probably have to order some. 
Look also for good shoes suitable for soldiers. 
Keep me v/ell advised of your movements. 

S. D. Morgan. 



FROM GEN. JOHN H. MORGAN. 
To Irbj Morgan. 

Dear Sir : In a few days I leave for Knoxville. 
I shall remain a few days, previous to making an- 
other long trip. I hope the uniforms I ordered 
are complete. 

Would like very much to have one thousand 
more of the same kind made at once, if possible. 
My men are in want of clothing, and I will be pre- 
pared to pay for what you have furnished. I have 
now upon my rolls 4,000 men, but how long they 
will let them remain with me I cannot tell. My 
last trip from Kentucky was quite successful. 
Carefully destroying all rail communication from 
Franklin to Nashville, every bridge and tresUe 




GEN. JOHN H. MORGAN. 



LETTERS. 171 

being burned, which I am satisfied is the cause of 
the Federals not having advanced farther as yet. 
They are camped on and near the Cumberland. 
Now, from Nashville to near Carthage, my ad- 
vanced regiment is encamped in a few miles of 
them. We are taking prisoners every day: yes- 
terday, 160; to-day, 50. Since leaving the army, 
one month since, have captured 1,000 and paroled 
them. 

I cannot understand the movements of our army, 
am fearful that we are going to enact the same 
programme as last winter, fall hack all the time. 
This portion of Tennessee is worth all the rest of 
the State to us, containing all that our army re- 
quires. Half the proper exertions in getting pro- 
visions are not being made, and instead of falling 
back (at present) we ought to push forward, and 
consume and send back all the provisions and 
stock in this portion of the State, for the enemy 
are not prepared at this time to give battle, and if 
we would only advance twenty-five miles, they 
would certainly fall back; but it really seems to me 
that our generals are always preparing to fall back, 
as the enemy approaches, and will not rest until 
they get a big river between them. 

I have to-day applied to be permitted to take my 
crowd across into Kentucky, and to break up all 



172 HOW IT WAS. 

communication between their army and Louisville, 
which will certainly prevent the advance of their 
army until the rivers rise, and can supply them- 
selves by transports. A large army cannot be sub- 
sisted upon the country. Nearly all the cavalry 
should be sent into Kentucky and completely de- 
stroy all communication by rail and pike, and at 
the same time be relieving the South of at least 
ten thousand men, who are feeding upon her very 
vitals at present. 

Love to cousin. 

Yours very truly, John H. Morgan, 

Colonel Commanding Brigade. 

Headquarters, Hartsville, August 24. 

To Irby Morgan. 

Dear Sir : Before I left Knoxville I wrote you 
to have me made 500 more uniforms of same 
quality as the others. My command has grown 
so rapidly that I will have to get you to have made 
500 more, being 1,000. Have them done as soon 
as you can. My men are nearly out of clothes. 
Have them made full size, and very strong. Our 
service is very hard upon clothes. I shall depend 
upon you furnishing me 1,000 uniforms, and have 
them made up as soon as possible. We have had 
a succession of brilliant affairs for the last six or 



LETTERS. 173 

eight days. You will see an account in the paper 
I send. The newspaper is edited and published 
in my command. I send my reports in printed 
form to Richmond. We are enjoying ourselves 
very much. These people are the most loyal I 
ever met, and treat us like princes. The ladies 
are both beautiful and clever. The railroad from 
Franklin, to within eight miles of Nashville, is 
completely destroyed. 

The tunnel above Gallatin we burned, and it 
cannot be opened in less than three months. All 
the frame work was burned, and the rock fell in, 
and is still burning. It is a slate rock containing 
coal. We destroyed every bridge. The Yankees 
have gone up the road, and are now using the other 
one by Springfield. It is a great blow to them. 
Gen. Nelson passed up the middle pike, day be- 
fore yesterday, with a portion of his command, to 
Bowling Green. 

I am satisfied they are leaving Nashville and 
preparing to make a stand at Bowhng Green. We 
have been in this place some ten days. You can 
see how far we are in the advance of our whole 
army. Have had as many as five thousand Fed- 
erals between us and the army since we came here, 
but the result has been that we have accomplished 
more than any division of our Western army. 



174 HOW it' was. 

We found the people out of heart and spirits; 
they had given up all prospects of being relieved. 
They are now all wide-awake and are joining the 
army rapidly. I am getting from fifty to sixty 
men per day from Kentucky, and without any as- 
sistance from Richmond. Nearly every gun, and 
all my equipments, we captured from the Federals. 
I send to-day to Knoxville Gen. Johnson and his 
officers, whom we captured. 

Give my love to cousin, and tell her to kiss the 
little ones for me. 

I hope to see you in Madison soon. 

Yours truly, John H. Morgan. 

Colonel Commanding Brigade. 

P. S. — You can let the editors of Atlanta see 
my proclamation. 

Headquarters, Lexington, Ky. 
October 6, 1862. 

Dear Uncle Sam: I have just returned from a 

very fatiguing trip in the mountains, where I have 

been impeding the retreat of Gen. Morgan from 

Cumberland Gap, and consequently did not hear 

with certainty of the death of poor Sam until my 

arrival at this place. Allow me to mingle my grief 

with yours in this sad bereavement, so sudden, so 

severe that I can scarcely realize it. You have 

this consolation: that your gallant son died in the 



LETTERS. 175 

discharge of his duty, with his face to the foe. 
His last words were: " Tell my father that I died 
for my country." 

Sam, as you well know, entered my command as 
a private. His unassuming bravery and strict at- 
tention to his duty soon elevated him to rank of 
lieutenant, and soon after to that of captain. His 
impartial justice and attention to the wants of his 
men rendered him very much beloved, and deeply 
do they mourn his loss. How sad that a career 
which opened so brightly should have been so sud- 
denly checked by tlie base treachery of a toe who 
fired after the token of surrender was given. 

Basil Duke informed me that he has already 
written to you, giving you the particulars of his 
death, and I will not therefore recount them. I 
write simply to testify my love and appreciation of 
Sam's worth, and to assure you that long will his 
memory be cherished with affection. 

Your sincere friend, John H. Morgan. 



Knoxville, Tenn., June 24, 1862. 
Dear Irby : I wrote you the other day from 
Chattanooga in reference to purchasing cloth for 
my men, and before I left there — through mistake, 
I suppose — the cloth came to my address. I sent it 
back to you, as I desire to have you attend to hav- 



176 HOW IT WAS. 

ing it made up. Please have it worked up by the 
measure sent as rapidly as possible, and also let me 
know when I shall send money, and how much. 
Remember me very kindly to Cousin Julia and 
your very interesting little girls and boys. 

Yours truly, J. H. Morgan. 

To Mr. I. Morgan. 

Dear Sir : I send you by express $5,500, which 
you will take care of for me, if you please. It is 
too much trouble to carry about, and any expendi- 
tures you make for my command can be taken 
from it. As soon as the uniforms are complete, 
please send them up with account of all expenses, 
and I will then give orders for any others I may 
require. Give my love to cousin and the children. 

Very truly yours, J- H. Morgan, 

Colonel. 

P. S. — Paper very scarce. We will start for 
Kentucky in a few days, and we will be heard from. 



JOHNNIE'S LETTER ON HIS WAT TO JOIN THE 
ARMT. 

Griffin, Ga., August 18, 1864. 

To Mrs. Ii'by Morgan, Augvista, Ga. 

Dear Aunt yiilia: I arrived at this place Sunday 
at I o'clock, in which I found pa and Collins doing 
well. Collins is improving very fast. His wound 
has been very severe. The gangrene ate a tremen- 



LETTERS. 177 

dous hole in his leg, but I think it has been killed 
out. I think it will take three or four months be- 
fore he can walk on his leg. Mr. Southgate, of 
Nashville, died ; John Shocks, of Fay etteville, died ; 
Major Miller's leg was taken off. There are two 
hundred wounded in Griffin now. There are 
a great many of the Lincoln County boys here. 
One just from there told me Hal McKinney has 
taken the oath . I never once thought that it was Hal. 
Willie McEwin came out. We had five brigades 
of cavalry in Sherman's rear, between Dalton and 
Chattanooga. They passed though Marietta and 
burned part of it. A great many commissary 
stores also were burned. On my travel I saw a 
great many Yankees that our men had captured. 
One of them came up to me and asked me for some- 
thing to eat. He told me that if I would give him 
something to eat he would give me a housewife. 
I told him that I wanted to see him starve awhile 
first. When I reached Macon, he asked me again, 
and I gave him a piece of corn bread; then he gave 
me the housewife. It was the prettiest I ever saw. 
He said that he hated to give it up, and I told him 
that I hated to give up my bread. I am very sorry 
I left my blanket, but I can use ColHns's. He 
will not be able for service in four or five months. 
General Cheatham is here on a furlough to get 
12 



178 HOW IT WAS. 

married, I am informed. John Br3^son is here. 
Mr. Mar left this morning. Tell the girls that 
Collins is looking very anxiously for a letter from 
them every day. The boys here are trying to 
persuade me not to go in the army. I tell them 
I have started and I will not back out. Willie 
McEwin and James Wood are going with me. 
Willie McEwin is going to the same company to 
which I am going. The people are expecting a 
raid here every minute. They have burned the 
bridge ten miles above Griffin, and are now de- 
stroying the railroad. Companies have been sent 
out to drive the invading party back. There is 
no more news concerning the army as far as I can 
ascertain. Capt. Tully is out from Tennessee. He 
brings no news concerning the family. Collins, I 
think, will be able to get about in five or six weeks, 
as the symptoms of the gangrene have ceased. 
Pa's health is good. When you write, direct your 
letter to the Eighth Tennessee, care of Col. An- 
derson, Company E, Atlanta. Write soon. Tell 
the girls to write to me; but if they don't 
want to write don't ask them. Collins sends his 
love. Give my love to the family. The last 
wishes of your friend, John M. Bright, Jr. 

P. S. — Tell Uncle Morgan I looked for him in 
Macon, but couldn't find him. I will proceed to 
the front to-morrow. 



LETTERS. 179 

FROM ONE OF MT WOUNDED SOLDIERS. 

In Camp Near Shelbyville, Tenn., ) 
February 16, 1863. 5 

To Mr. Irbj Morgan and family. 

Kind and Much Esteemed Friends : Ere this you 
doubtless think I have forgotten you, but far from 
it. I would have written to you before this time 
had I had an opportunity of delivering the pack- 
age you intrusted to my care. Immediately on 
my arrival I made inquiries and ascertained that 
Wheeler's command had moved forward, destina- 
tion unknown. Since then the weather has ren- 
dered the roads almost impassable. In a few days 
I will avail some opportunity to send or take it to 
the proper one. I met Mr. Herron this morning. 
He looks well. Mr. Brooks is now in my tent. He 
is quite well, and sends kindest wishes and re- 
gards. The general health of the troops is good. 
I learn the small-pox is prevalent in some regi- 
ments. I hope it will not get around among ours; 
if it does, I will light out, or be inclined to do so. 
Light out is the Rebel term of skedaddle. From 
the present signs of the times, I judge that as soon 
as the weather admits we will have a fight here. 
From accounts the enemy moved thirteen divisions 
from Murfreesboro a short time ago. The weath- 
er, though, stops their movements for awhile. 

Not being anxious for the conflict, I would not 



i8o now IT WAS. 

care if it remained so for some time to come. We 
occasionally hear cannon on the front. It is sup- 
posed to be cavalry skirmishing. I heard several 
this morning. I learn that our regiment and the 
13th are to be consolidated. I dislike it very much, 
though the 13th is a good regiment, or the re- 
mainder of one. After the consolidation it will still 
remain the 154th. 

The sharpshooters of our brigade, a company 
that formerly belonged to our regiment, have been 
transferred to Forrest's and are to be mounted. 
They left this morning for Franklin to join For- 
rest's command. This will be news to Stoveall and 
Walker. This is about all the news in camp. I 
never before saw camp so dull, nothing transpiring 
to break the dull monotony. I have several times 
wished that I had not left the pleasant little place, 
Marietta, when I did. My entire trip was gloomy 
and unpleasant, the trains were very much 
crowded. I got a seat to Chattanooga by playing 
a very badly wounded leg on the passengers. 
From Chattanooga I secured a double seat, and 
kept it too, by the same game. I suffered a great 
deal, apparently, from my wounded leg. 

I stopped at Tullahoma one day. The next day I 
took the train for Shelbyville, and found the con- 
ductor an old friend and acquaintance. I got a seat 



LETTERS. l8l 

in the baggage car, and got to Shelbyville about dark. 
It was snowing hard. I had to walk about three 
miles to camp in mud knee deep, and since have 
not been out of sight of camp, except the day of 
review of our division before Joseph E. Johnston. 
Not being on review, I got good sight of him. His 
appearance is fine, his intellectual capacities are 
in prominent features, and at once revealed to 
scrutinizing eyes, and I think is equal to the times 
and emergencies. He says that our corps is the 
most imposing he ever reviewed. They are drilled, 
disciplined, and will fight. 

You will please remember me to all my inquir- 
ing acquaintances and friends. Tell Mr. Frazier 
I will write to him if ever anything of interest 
transpires. 

I am going to report for duty in the morning, 
unless my arm, where I was inoculated, grows 
worse. The only duty we have is to guard two 
conscript regiments in our brigade, to keep them 
from deserting. Poor soldiers. 

With great respect I remain yours truly, 

John H. Lynn. 

Camp Near Chattanooga, Tenn., July i6, '63. 

Mrs. Morgan: My kind and esteemed friend, 
it may seem ungrateful that I had not heretofore 



1 82 HOW IT WAS. 

acknowledged the receipt of your very kind letter 
of the 22d of May. The only excuse I offer is 
simply this: We were then lying at Shelbyville, 
and one could write nothing of interest, and even 
now cannot do much better than to relate old and 
stale incidents. As for the particulars of the fate 
of Vicksburg, you are possibly better acquainted 
with than I. 

The fall of Charleston is reported as truth, yet 
nothing to confirm the report. Therefore I still 
have hope that the South can yet boast of one Gi- 
braltar. On or about the 24th of June we were 
then in front of Shelbyville working on the fortifi- 
cations. About that time Col. Morgan's " Regi- 
ment of Cavalry " moved in near the works about 
one-half mile from our encampment, but from the 
push of work I did not get a chance to go and see 
him, as I would like to have done. On the night of 
the 26th we got orders to cook rations. About sun- 
rise on the 27th we were formed, not knowing where 
we were going, to the front or rear. We struck the 
pike, moved by the left flank, to the rear, in re- 
treat. This day was a hot, sultry one. As we 
passed through Shelbyville we saw every indica- 
tion of retreat. Union families were seen peeping 
through windows exuberant with glee; other fami- 
lies of Southern sympathy were in great distress 



LETTERS. 183 

and gloom. I then thought of yourself and fam- 
ily, feeling as if every foot we moved would pro- 
long your banishment from your once pleasant and 
happy home. We marched all day in the rear of 
the army, and night found us seven or eight miles 
from Shelbyville, worn-out and sick. During the 
night the rain fell in torrents, and the only shelter 
was trees. On the 28th we arrived at Tullahoma, 
cooked four days' rations on the 29th, and moved 
to the front on pickets three miles from the line of 
fortifications — just our brigade — the enemy show- 
ing evidence of fight. We occasionally heard a bul- 
let pass. It seemed they were advancing, but slow 
and cautious. On the 30th the First Kentucky 
Cavalry had drawn back to our Hne of skirmishers, 
and reported the enemy in force two hundred yards 
from us. We remained thus until after sunset, when 
a report from a rifle in our front, then a volley which 
we didn't answer, expecting the enemy wanted 
to advance his lines. At dark all was quiet as death. 
We laid down upon our arms with sad feehngs, 
thinking that the dawn of July ist would usher us 
on a field of death and carnage. About 10 o'clock 
we are aroused from sleep and move to the rear, 
it having been ascertained that Rosey had evaded 
us by the right flank, and was endeavoring to get 
to the mountains before we could. We marched all 



184 HOW IT V/AS. 

nio-htand until noon of the 2d. We halted at Alizo- 
nia, nothing unusual but the heat, and a great many 
cases of sunstroke. The 3d, at daylight, we moved 
through Winchester, stopping within two miles of 
town to rest in the heat of the day. Before we got 
seated the cavalry were skirmishing in Winchester. 
We pushed on, got to Cowan Station at 3 or 4 o'clock, 
formed line of battle, and lay without any further 
molestation. The 4th day of July we made an 
early start over the mountains, the enemy's cav- 
alry still pushing us closely until we crossed the 
mountain and Tennessee River. We were then 
more secure, all the wagons safe in camp at Shell 
Mound Springs, which is large enough to float a 
large boat, and very cold. On the 5th we crossed 
one mountain, climbed another, and camped on the 
mountain thirteen miles from this place. On the 
6th we got on the railroad, arriving here to learn 
of the fall of Vicksburg. The troops do not seem 
so much affected by the intelligence as would be 
supposed. The consolation is: the gallant con- 
duct of the heroic garrison, and the hardships they 
underwent before the place surrendered, and the 
loss the enemy sustained there. It has cost them 
more than it can be worth, as it does not insure 
them the free navigation of the Mississippi River. 
Well, we are lying under the summit of old Look- 



LETTERS. 185 

out, but do not expect to remain, as we have got 
work to do, and the sooner the better for us. There 
is no doubt that the enemy will find it easier to re- 
cruit since our late reverses. 

Mrs. Morgan, I expected Mr. Pettit or Walker to 
bring me some clothes that my friend, Mrs. Glover, 
has made for me, but I was disappointed. John 
Walker certainly forgot it. If you will have them 
at the hotel at your room, a friend of mine, Mr. 
Pratt, will bring them to me. He left this morning 
for Atlanta. Will return Saturday, when he will 
step off the train to get the package. He would 
not have time to find Mrs. Glover's house. If you 
will attend to this request, it will greatly oblige me. 
Mr. Lowe is driving around camp in good health ; 
Brooks '* ditto." I see Lowe occasionally; he 
is on some detail duty. There is not much sick- 
ness at present among the troops, though a great 
deal of playing off. I have a notion of playing rheu- 
matism for a few days' leave of absence. Bragg 
says a man is not a good soldier unless he can play 
off. Tell Fannie I have waited patiently for an 
answer to a letter written last winter. I am afraid 
the good people of Marietta are forgetting the sit- 
uation of their beloved country. I learn they have 
balls often, and are enjoying the gay frivoHties of 
times of peace. Well, I guess it may be all right. 



1 86 HOW IT WAS. 

as the first night I was at home in Kentucky I 
passed at a ball for a few hours, forgetting we were 
at war, and enjoyed myself beyond description. 
Give friends, one and all, my kindest regards, and 
write soon. Remember me to yourself and family. 
Your true friend, J. H. Lynn, ^ 

Company E, 154th Tennessee Regiment, T. V. 



THE VIDETTE. 



[In these pages we give a portion of the contents of one 
number of a little paper called The Vidette^ which was occa- 
sionally issued bj Gen. Morgan's men while on their rapid 
march. This copy was printed at Hartsville, Tenn., August 
24, 1862; and we reproduce it here, thinking it may be of in- 
terest to some of the old soldiers and many of the sons of those 
gallant men who gave their lives in the defense of the South- 
ern cause.] 

MORGAN'S VISIT TO GALLATIN AND THE JUNCTION 
—HIS FIGHT WITH GEN. E. W. JOHNSON. 

Gen. Morgan, with a portion of his command, 
marched in the direction of Gallatin, on the 19th 
inst., and learning that the enemy was moving into 
the place he ordered Capt. Hutchison with his com- 
pany to cut them off from Nashville by destroying 
the bridge, which he did. 

Gen. Morgan moved early on the morning of 
the 20th to engage the Federals, whom he thought 
gallant enough to meet him. But what was our 
surprise to learn on reaching Gallatin that the 
cowards had contented themselves with visiting 
distress and misery upon the citizens of that town. 

These hirelings of the North had arrested every 

(187) 



l88 HOW IT WAS. 

male citizen of the town that could be found. The 
gray -haired grandfathers, fathers, husbands, 
brothers, and sons were torn away from their fam- 
ilies because they had fed, or talked with, or seen 
Morgan and his men. The heartrending appeals 
of the distressed ones mourning for those who 
were hurried in the dead hour of night, on foot, to 
a distant prison, without crime, brought tears to 
the eyes of many a stout heart besides Morgan's. 
If Morgan stays his hand when the invader treats 
our citizens thus, and tries still to abide the rules 
of civilized warfare, our consolation is that t"here is 
a God who looks deep into the heart, who will bless 
the noble patriot for his forbearance, while he will 
as surely curse the foul persecutors of quiet men, 
women, and children. Gen. Morgan could have 
swept more than one hundred and sixty of them 
that day from the face of the earth; but no, he 
captured them. He would not yet turn a deaf ear 
to their appeals, notwithstanding that they had 
murdered two of our men in cold blood after they 
had surrendered, and the cries of those who had 
appealed in vain were still ringing in his ears. 
Take care, invaders! I heard a humble minister 
of the gospel who had witnessed 3^our proceedings 
sa}^ that he hated you now with a bitter hatred. 
Gen. Morgan pursued the enemy, who had left 



THE VIDETTE. 189 

about II o'clock the night previous on foot, toward 
Nashville, skirmishing on the right and left, killing 
about twenty, capturing one hundred and sixty 
and a few of the stolen negroes, and releasing fifty 
or more of the citizens of Gallatin. When within 
nine miles of Nashvile, in an advance movement 
made by Company A upon a stockade where a 
force of the enemy were posted, Lieut. James A. 
Smith, of Company A, and Capt. Gordon E. 
Niles, former editor of this paper, fell at their 
posts. Long will they live in the memory of their 
associates in arms, with whom they nobly battled 
for Southern rights. Their monument is more 
imperishable than marble. Gen. Morgan, 'tis said, 
when a large body surrendered, exclaimed: " Why 
don't you fight?" No wonder; for that w^as the 
feeling of all: disappointment at not getting a 
chance at men who would attack unarmed 
citizens and surrender to armed troops. But 
the basest of all was Col. Heffernan's order to 
them to kill all the prisoners if attacked by the 
Confederates. 

Gen. Morgan, according to previous arrange- 
ment, moved back with his command to Gallatin, 
after destroying another bridge, more effectually 
cutting off the communication between Nashville 
and Louisville. Early on the following morning 



190 HOW IT WAS. 

(the 2 1st) while preparing to leave Gallatin, our 
scouts and pickets brought news of the advance of 
the enemy from toward Hartsville, and soon Gen. 
Johnson appeared with his forces in sight of town. 
Gen. Morgan moved his command out of town to 
meet the enemy. (How unlike the invaders, who 
take shelter when convenient!) Gen. Morgan 
gave the gallant Texas boys under Maj. Gano the 
privilege of opening the fight with the advance of 
the enemy, which they did in elegant style. Maj. 
Gano led them forward, while his men poured the 
contents of their trusty guns into the ranks of the en- 
emy, driving them back under a heavy fire. Upon 
the left Capts. Castle, Bowles, Castleman, Jennings, 
and Lieut. White led their companies forward in 
splendid style under command of Col. Duke, 
spreading dismay through the right wing of the 
enemy's ranks ; while Capts. Desha, Breckinridge, 
McFarland, Jones, and Lieut. Lea upon the right, 
pushing on in gallant style, drove back the enemy's 
left. Gen. Morgan was seen upon all parts of the 
field, his voice and presence giving strength to his 
troops and weakening his foes. Col. St. Leger 
Grenfell, on the right, cheered on the brave 
Southrons. Maj. Gano, leading a charge across a 
field, had his horse killed under him, and the 
brave Capt. John M. Huffman nobly did his 



THE VIDETTE. I9I 

duty upon every charge until a Minie ball fractured 
his left arm near che shoulder, thus disabling for a 
time a gallant soldier. After driving the enemy 
back some three miles trom the town, routing them 
alternately from field and pasture. Gen. Morgan 
turned back his command to look after the dead 
and wounded, and after making ample prepara- 
tion for the interment of the dead and giving at- 
tention to the wounded of both friends and foes, 
and learning that the enemy had formed again 
some three miles from town, Gen. Morgan ad- 
vanced to meet them. Throwing Col. Duke with 
two companies on the right of the pike, Maj. Mor- 
gan the left, while Maj. Gano with four companies 
went forward upon the road, led by the general 
in person. The enemy fled and divided. Col. 
Duke followed a heavy force that rallied at Cairo 
and gave battle. He charged them with his gal- 
lant braves, and I have been informed that the 
firing was as heavy for a short time on the limited 
field as on the fatal day at Shiloh : but the enemy 
was routed, and Gen. Johnson captured. The 
central division pursued another body of the ene- 
my to a ford on the Cumberland River, and firing 
upon the rear guard killed one horse. The casu- 
alties of the day were: In Morgan's command, 8 
killed and 12 wounded; in the enemy's ranks, 63 



192 HOW IT WAS. 

killed (6 since died), about 100 wounded, and 200 
captured. 

The difference between the casualties of the 
South and North can be easily accounted for: the 
patriot who fights in * defense of his country is 
nerved to a steady arm under any circumstances. 
The subjugator, who would conquer in order to 
play the despot, or fights for hire, trembles for his 
life. Again, the interposition of divine aid has al- 
ways been for the defenders of just rights, and 
never with the invader, who battles for subjuga- 
tion. My firm conviction is that before the South 
is subjugated there will be none left in the North 
but women and children. The North could stop 
the war; the South can continue it as long as the 
North wishes. Gen. Morgan is here and will re- 
main as long as he chooses, and when he leaves he 
will take the road to the place of his destination. 

An Eyewitness. 



Brigade Orders. 

Headquarters Morgan's Brigade, ) 
Hartsville, Tenn., Aug. 22, 1862. 5 

I. The officer in command calls the attention 

of all officers and men to the Proclamation issued 

this day. At the same time he desires to place 

upon record in Brigade Orders his high sense of 



THE VIDETTE. I93 

the gallantry and devotion shown by all ranks 
during the two arduous days of service. Soldiers, 
your commanding officer is proud of you, and 
thanks you from his heart. 

2. The commanding officer having thought it to 
be to the interest of the service that a corps of 
guides or scouts should be organized for the 
more regular and efficient discharge of this most 
important duty, has ordered that a corps of 
sixteen men be raised from the several compa- 
nies under his command, to be commanded by 
Lieut. Brady, of Company M, who will select 
the men most suitable for the service, and pre- 
sent them to the acting brigade general for his 
approval. 

3. Lieut. Brady is hereby withdrawn from Com- 
pany M, and appointed chief of this newly raised 
corps, with rank of second lieutenant. 

4. Regimental officers are requested for the fu- 
ture to grant no passes or leave of absence except 
to such soldiers as exhibit their arms in perfect or- 
der. The safety of the brigade may often depend 
upon the state of its arms, and too much attention 
cannot be paid by regimental officers to this most 
important duty. Capt. Jones, 

Captain of the Day. 

By order of G. St. L. Grenfelh 
13 



194 how it was. 

Editorials. 
Advices from Nashville show that Johnson's 
men were picked, and that they have been a month 
picking and drilling men and horses to take Mor- 
gan. Send your refuse next time; your picked 
men fail. 



A REPORT from Nashville last night confirms 
the statement that Bragg has whipped Buell and 
captured most of his forces, and that Nelson is 
trying to find his way out from Nashville with two 
thousand infantry and two hundred cavalry. 



Johnson's men, en route for Gallatin, said: 
'* Morgan's men can destroy bridges, but they 
can't stand fire." 

Johnson's men, en rente for the guardhouse, 
said : * ' Johnson was a fool for attacking Mor- 



The Northern generals have come to the con- 
clusion that their troops are giving their parole to 
get out of service. You need not talk any more 
about volunteers when you can't keep those you 
already have in the field according to your own 
showing, and if you force back the paroled sol- 



THE VIDETTE. I95 

diers as you threaten to do, you force them to cer- 
tain death if captured. So think twice before you 
act on that. 



Verily the Southern women think every man 
good-looking that stands up nobly for his rights. 
Won't Morgan have a pretty lot of boys? They 
improve every trip. We heard a lady compliment- 
ing St. Leger. Some of the rest of us will come 
in soon for a share. 



We were pleased to see Gen. Forrest yesterday. 
He looks to be in the enjoyment of excellent 
health, and happy as you could expect so noble a 
patriot, enjoying the good news that crowds upon 
us from every quarter. I thought as I looked upon 
the manly forms of Forrest and Morgan that noth- 
ing could excel that picture except the groups, ev- 
erywhere to be seen, of our lovely countrywomen. 
They excel all that the universe contains. Untir- 
ing in their efforts, beautifully flushed with the 
rosy tinge inspired by patriotic zeal, their warm 
hearts pouring out to God unceasing prayers for 
our success, O what can equal the women of the 
South? They are the noblest works of God. I 
must leave this dull sanctum to look once more 
upon them. 



196 how it was. 

Headquarters Morgan's Regiment, ) 
Hartsville, August 22, 1862. 5 

To Gen. Cooper, Adjutant General, Richmond. 

General: I beg to comfirm my dispatch of 
the 20th inst., announcing the result of yesterday's 
expedition. 

My command consisted of my own regiment 
(seven hundred strong) and a squadron of Texas 
Rangers, numbering about one hundred men, that 
returned that day worn-out to Gallatin. 

At II o'clock P.M. I received information from 
one of my friendly scouts that the enemy's cavalry 
was encamped on the roadside between Castalian 
Springs and Hartsville, a distance of only twelve 
miles from my camp. Judging from the fact that 
they had halted by the roadside, I concluded that 
they intended to march at night or possibly early 
in the morning, and I made my preparations ac- 
cordingly, dispatching scouts upon whom I could 
depend to bring me positive information as to the 
enemy's movements. 

At daybreak my column was on the move, and 
as the advanced guard reached the head of the 
town my pickets came galloping in, followed by 
my principal scout, who reported that he was 
closely pursued by a large body of cavalry. Not 
wishing, on account of the inhabitants, to make 



THE VIDETTE. I97 

Gallatin the scene of our contest, I advanced my 
column, and was greeted on reaching the Harts- 
ville pike by a heavy fire from that direction. I 
dismounted tv^o leading companies to fight, and 
threw them into the woods on the left of the road. 
The enemy increased the fire, and I gradually had 
my whole command engaged. 

The fight began at 6:30 o'clock and was main- 
tained without much advantage on either side — the 
enemy having, perhaps, rather the best of it at 
first — until about 8:30 o'clock, when they began 
to fall back, and my men to redouble their efforts. 
At 9:30 o'clock I had driven them four miles, and 
was preparing for a final charge, when a flag of 
truce was brought proposing an armistice, in order 
to bury their dead. My reply was, that I could 
entertain no proposition except unconditional sur- 
render. 

I learned then that the troops were commanded 
by Brig. Gen. Johnson. During the parley, the 
enemy had formed into line of battle, and were 
evidently ready to defend themselves from any 
fresh attack. 

I divided my forces into three divisions, leading 
one myself in the direction which I thought Gen. 
Johnson had taken. Maj. Morgan had five com- 
panies under his orders on my left. Lieut. Col. 



198 HOW IT WAS. 

Duke, on my right, had three companies and his 
advanced guard. 

Some delay was occasioned by the nonarrival of 
my gallant Texas Rangers, who formed part of 
the body under my own immediate orders. They 
had been separated from their horses during the 
preceding fight, and had not been able to recover 
them in time to come to the front. On their ar- 
rival, we marched on in the direction of the ene- 
my, and Col. Duke's Division coming within sight, 
advanced at a canter and opened fire. Gen. 
Johnson's forces, being on a good pike, retreated 
for some time faster than my men, who were on 
difficult ground, could follow; but after a pursuit 
of some two miles they were overtaken and com- 
pelled to fight. They were dismounted and 
formed behind their horses. The position that 
they had selected was a very good one, especially 
as they considerably outnumbered Col. Duke's 
force, which was the only one opposed to them, 
Maj Morgan and my own attachment in the eager- 
ness of pursuit having taken too far to the left. 

Col. Duke reports that on perceiving that the 
enemy had halted, he formed his three companies 
and the advanced guard into columns of squad- 
rons, reserving the regular distances betwixt each 
so as to be able to form into line at command and 



THE VIDETTE. I99 

attack. This was done with admirable precision 
and coolness by his men, and nothing could ex- 
ceed their gallantry. 

The enemy was formed under the brow of a 
hill, and my men were drawn up above them, so 
that their fire told with effect on my line, whilst 
that of the attacking party went over their heads. 
After a very sharp engagement of about fifteen 
minutes they broke and ran. 

Gen. Johnson, his adjutant general, Ca?pt. 
Turner, Maj. Winfrey, and a number of privates 
were captured, but the main body escaped to the 
hills through the woods and high corn, making for 
the Cumberland River. 

Thus ended an action in which my command, 
not exceeding seven hundred men (one whole com- 
pany being in the rear with prisoners), succeeded 
in defeating a brigade of twelve hundred chosen 
cavalry sent by Gen. Buell expressly to take me or 
drive me out of Tennessee, killing and wounding 
some one hundred and eighty, and taking two 
hundred prisoners, including the brigadier general 
commanding, and the greater part of the regimental 
officers. 

My loss in both actions amounted to five killed, 
eighteen wounded, and two missing. Amongst 
the wounded was Capt. Huffman, who had his 



200 HOW IT WAS. 

arm shattered by a ball whilst leading gallantly on 
his brave Texas Rangers, a small body of men 
commanded by Maj. Gano, of whom I cannot 
speak too highly, as they have distinguished them- 
selves ever since they joined my command, not 
only by their bravery, but by their good, soldier- 
like conduct. 

To all my officers and men my best acknowl- 
edgments are due. Nothing but hard fighting 
carried them through. 

To my personal staff I am deeply indebted. 
Col. St. Leger Grenfell, acting adjutant general, 
ably supported me; Capt. Llewellen, my quarter- 
master, and Capt. Green Roberts, who acted as 
my aide-de-camp, were most active and fearless in 
carrying my orders, and the captains of companies 
were cool and collected in the performance of 
them. 

Lieut. Col. Duke led on his regiment, if possi- 
ble, with more than his usual gallantry, and con- 
tributed by the confidence with which he has in- 
spired his men to insure the success of the day. 

Lieut. Col. Duke makes particular mention of 
the cool and determined manner in which Lieut. 
Rogers, commanding advanced guard, Capts. 
Hutchinson, Castle, and Lieut. White, respectively 
commanding the three companies composing his 



THE VIDETTE. 20I 

division, behaved ; in fact, the conduct of both of- 
ficers and men deserves the highest praise. 

I received every assistance from the patriotism 
and zeal of the neighboring citizens, amongst 
w^hom Maj. Duffey and Capt. R. A. Bennet were 
preeminent. 

I have also to report that I have received a dis- 
patch from Gen. Forrest stating that he has en- 
camped within eight miles of me with a reenforce- 
ment of eight hundred men, but no artillery. The 
want of this arm cripples my movements and pre- 
vents my advance with that certainty of effect 
which a battery would afford. 

Recruits are daily and hourly arriving. The 
population seems at last to be thoroughly aroused, 
and to be determined on resistance. 

I hope shortly, general, to be able to report 
further successes; and rest assured that no exer- 
tion on my part shall be wanting, and that no sac- 
rifices on that of my officers and men will prevent 
our giving as good an account of the enemy as our 
small numbers will admit of. 

I have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, 
general, your most obedient servant, 

John H. Morgan, 
Colonel Commanding Cavalry, C. S. A. 

P. S. — This morning I received positive infor- 



202 HOW IT WAS. 

mation as to Gen. Nelson's intentions and move- 
ments. He is retreating from Nashville to reen- 
force Bowling Green, at the head of fifteen hundred 
infantry, two hundred cavalry, and twelve cannon. 
It is evident that the intention of the Federals is to 
attempt the defense of the line at Bowling Green 
and Lebanon. J. H. M. 

Notices. 

Quartermaster's Department, ) 
Locke's Hotel, Aug. 19, 1862. 5 

All persons having claims against the quarter- 
master are notified to present them for settlement 
immediately. D. H. Llewellyn, 

Quartermaster, C. S. A. 

Headquarters Morgan's Brigade, ) 
Hartsville, August 22, 1862. 5 

All persons having property in their possession 

captured from the enemy will deliver it to me at 

Locke's hotel. D. H. Llewellyn, 

Assistant Quartermaster, C. S. A. 



Proclamation. 

Headquarters Morgan's Brigade, 
Hartsville, August 22, 1862. 

Soldiers: Your gallant bearing during the last 



THE VIDETTE. 203 

two days will not only be inscribed in the history 
of the country and the annals of this war, but is 
engraven deeply in my heart. 

Your zeal and devotion on the 20th at the at- 
tack of the trestlework at Saundersville, and of 
the Springfield Junction stockade, your heroism 
during the two hard fights of yesterday have 
placed you high on the list of those patriots who 
are now in arms for our Southern rights. 

All communication cut off betwixt Gallatin and 
Nashville, a body of three hundred infantry totally 
cut up or taken prisoners, the liberation of those 
kind friends arrested by our revengeful foes for no 
other reason than their compassionate care of our 
sick and wounded, would have been laurels suffi- 
cient for your brows. But soldiers, the utter an- 
nihilation of Gen. Johnson's brigade, composed of 
twenty-four picked companies of regulars, and 
sent on purpose to take us, raises your reputation 
as soldiers, and strikes fear into the craven hearts 
of your enemies. Gen. Johnson and his staff, with 
two hundred men, taken prisoners, sixty-four 
killed and one hundred wounded, attests the re- 
sistance made, and bears testimony to your valor. 

But our victories have not been achieved with- 
out loss. We have to mourn some brave and dear 
comrades. Their names will remain in our 



204 HOW IT WAS. 

breasts; their fame outlives them. They died in 
defense of a good cause. They died, Hke gallant 
soldiers, with their front to the foe. 

Officers and men, your conduct makes me 
proud to command you. Fight always as you 
fought yesterday, and you are invincible. 

John H. Morgan, 
Colonel Commanding Cavalry. 



The End. 







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